ExploreMammal

Pine Marten

Martes martes

The Pine Marten is a playful little animal with a bushy tail. They love to climb trees and are great at hiding in the forest.

Habitat: Forests and woodlands

Appearance

The Pine Marten has a slender body, a long bushy tail, and a rich golden-brown fur coat. A distinctive creamy-yellow patch on its throat and chest sets it apart from other mustelids. It has prominent rounded ears and a pointed snout.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderCarnivoraFamilyMustelidaeGenusMartes
Pine Marten
wildlife trait badgefurry trait badgeomnivorous trait badgearboreal trait badge
Pine Marten

Category

Mammal

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Each Pine Marten has a unique creamy-yellow patch on its chest, like a fingerprint!

Pine Martens often use old birds' nests or tree hollows as cozy dens for their young!

Their thick fur coat helps them stay warm even in chilly, snowy forests!

They can turn their ankles almost 180 degrees to climb down trees headfirst!

Special abilities

Ability

Arboreal Acrobat

Pine Marten can climb trees with amazing agility because of their sharp claws and flexible joints that help them hunt high up.

Ability

Balancing Bushy Tail

Pine Marten has a long, bushy tail that helps them balance like a tightrope walker when leaping between branches and navigating trees.

Ability

Night Hunter Senses

Pine Marten can hunt efficiently in low light because of their excellent hearing and eyesight that help them find hidden prey.

Measurements & details

Length
38-58 cm
Weight
0.9-2.2 kg
Lifespan
8-10 years
Top Speed
40 km/h
Litter Size
2-5
Gestation
230-275 days

Diet & Feeding

A nimble hunter that eats small animals, birds, insects, and sweet fruits and berries.

Primary Foods

  • Voles
  • Mice
  • Squirrels
  • Birds
  • Berries
  • Insects

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

hunts

Bank Vole

Myodes glareolus

eats small rodents on the forest floor.

hunts

Eurasian Red Squirrel

Sciurus vulgaris

preys on agile squirrels in the treetops.

eaten by

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

a powerful aerial predator that hunts pine martens.

shelters

European Beech

Fagus sylvatica

uses tree hollows for resting and raising young.

Traits

Also known as

Martes martes

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5

Pine Martens are wild animals. It's best to admire them from a distance and not try to touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Pine Marten?

38-58 cm

How much does Pine Marten weigh?

0.9-2.2 kg

How long does Pine Marten live?

8-10 years

How fast can Pine Marten move?

40 km/h

What does Pine Marten eat?

A nimble hunter that eats small animals, birds, insects, and sweet fruits and berries.

Where is Pine Marten usually found?

Forests and woodlands

How does Pine Marten hunt?

Pursuit

How many babies does Pine Marten usually have?

2-5

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