Details
Martes foina
Beech marten is a mustelid that uses both woodland and human structures such as walls, barns, and roofs. Around towns it is sometimes known for chewing insulation or wiring in parked cars.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It lives in woodland, rocky sites, orchards, farms, and town edges from Europe to western Asia. Main habitat types in this guide are forest, urban, mountain.
Typical length 40-54 cm, weight 1 kg-2.5 kg. Gray-brown fur, a white throat patch, bushy tail, and elongated marten body are distinctive.
It is nocturnal and usually solitary. At night it leaves roofs or stonework and forages both in trees and on the ground.
It is omnivorous. Small mammals, birds, eggs, insects, and fruit are all used.
Young are born in dens or building cavities and remain dependent on the mother for weeks.
Although still widespread in places, it remains sensitive to habitat change. Around towns it is sometimes known for chewing insulation or wiring in parked cars.
