Animal Planet :: Mammal Guide -- Northern Coniferous

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Pine Marten

This agile climber is most active during evenings and mornings, when it hunts a variety of animals, including birds, squirrels, small rodents, hares, and insects. It also forages for fruit.

When chasing prey in the trees, it jumps quickly from branch to branch, using its claws for gripping.

During the day, it shelters in nests in hollow trees.

Several nests are often utilized by a single individual, which will store numerous caches of food throughout its home range.

This species is highly valued for its supple coat and has disappeared in many parts of its original range due to centuries of overhunting.

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	Name: Pine Marten (Martes martes) Family: Mustelidae (Mustelids) Range: Europe and Asia Habitat: Coniferous, deciduous, and mixed woodlands Diet: Voles, squirrels, other small mammals, birds, insects, carrion, frogs, reptiles, snails, fruits, and berries Head and Body Length: 18 to 23 inches (45 to 58 cm) Tail Length: 6 to 11 inches (16 to 28 cm) Weight: 2 to 4 pounds (1 to 2 kg) Life Cycle: Mating July to August, implantation delayed; pregnancy 230 to 275 days, usually three to five young born Description: Rich brown coat that is thick and silky in winter and short and coarse in summer; creamy-orange throat patch in winter; large, triangaular ears; long, bushy tail Conservation Status: Common