ExploreMammals

American Marten

Martes americana

The American Marten is a small, furry animal that loves to climb trees and explore the forest. With its beautiful golden-brown fur, it's a playful creature that enjoys hunting for small animals and fruits.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The American Marten is a slender mammal with short legs, a long bushy tail, and large, prominent ears. It has rich, dark brown fur that lightens to a creamy or orange throat patch, making it visually distinct from a weasel.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderCarnivoraFamilyMustelidaeGenusMartes
American Marten
furry trait badgesolitary trait badgearboreal trait badgecamouflaged trait badge
American Marten

Category

Mammals

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

American Martens often make their cozy dens inside hollow trees or abandoned squirrel nests.

They are distant relatives of weasels, badgers, and even the aquatic otters!

They communicate using various sounds, including chirps, growls, and hisses.

Young martens, called kits, are born blind and helpless, opening their eyes after about a month.

Special abilities

Ability

Arboreal Acrobat

American Marten can climb trees with amazing agility because they have semi-retractable claws that help them grip bark securely.

Ability

Headfirst Descent

American Marten has flexible ankle joints that can rotate nearly 180 degrees, allowing them to climb down trees headfirst.

Ability

Subnivean Hunter

American Marten can tunnel through snow with ease, allowing them to hunt small prey hidden beneath the surface.

Measurements & details

Length
51-65 cm
Weight
0.5-1.5 kg
Lifespan
5-10 years
Top Speed
32 km/h
Litter Size
1-5
Gestation
220-300 days

Diet & Feeding

Martens are omnivores that enjoy small animals and a tasty snack of fruits and berries!

Primary Foods

  • Voles
  • Mice
  • Red squirrels
  • Snowshoe hares
  • Berries
  • Insects

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

If you see a wild animal, it's best to watch from a distance and not approach it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is American Marten?

51-65 cm

How much does American Marten weigh?

0.5-1.5 kg

How long does American Marten live?

5-10 years

How fast can American Marten move?

32 km/h

What does American Marten eat?

Martens are omnivores that enjoy small animals and a tasty snack of fruits and berries!

Where is American Marten usually found?

Forests

How does American Marten hunt?

Pursuit

How many babies does American Marten usually have?

1-5

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