Details
Martes martes
A forest mustelid of Europe, strongly associated with trees. A long tail and creamy yellow throat patch help identify it.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
European pine martens use mature broadleaf, conifer, and mixed forests, including rocky mountain woods. Tree holes, rock crevices, and old nests provide dens.
They have a slender body, bushy tail, rounded ears, and a cream to yellow throat patch. Fur on the feet helps movement on trees and snow.
Mostly nocturnal and solitary, they climb well and patrol large ranges that include both ground and canopy routes.
They eat rodents, squirrels, birds, eggs, insects, fruit, and berries. Fruit can become especially important in autumn.
Delayed implantation follows mating. Females give birth in spring in tree cavities or similar shelters and rear young alone.
Fur hunting and forest management affected some populations, while legal protection has allowed recovery in parts of the range.
