Field Guide/Mammals/American Marten
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|Martes Americana (American Marten)|
Size: Total Length: 24 to 30 inches; Weight: 2 pounds. 
Description: The American Marten is a weasel that is small in size with golden brown fur and a yellow chest. They are long animals with small, cat-like ears. 
Similar Species: The American Marten is a type of weasel that is very often mistaken by the Pine Marten.
Range: They are found in the northern reaches of North America.
Habitat: Mature, Northern forests. They den in hollow trees, crevices, or vacant ground burrows. 
Diet: Their diet consists of small mammals, including squirrels and rodents. Occasionally birds, fruit, nuts, insects, and carrion are eaten as well.
Activity: They are arboreal (tree dwelling) and are nocturnal. Seen before in male/female pairs as well as with young. Most hunting occurs at dusk and dawn, when prey species are most active.
Reproduction: Martens are pregnant 8-9 months, but the fetus only develops during the last two months. The litter of two or three babies are called kits and are usually born in a hollow log or under bushes.
Lifespan: approximately 17 years.
Notes: Marten distribution and demographic rates are affected by the loss of closed-canopy forest due to logging. Martens are still legally trapped for their fur in most of the western states. 
- Reid, F.; Helgen, K. (2008), Martes Americana, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/41648/0, retrieved (October 7, 2012)
- Berg, Bill (2001), "Minnesota Conservation Volunteer Magazine", American Marten (Martes Americana) (january- february), http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mammals/americanmarten.html, retrieved (October 7, 2012)
- Ellis, Eric, J. (1999), Martes Americana (on-line), http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Martes_americana/, retrieved (October 7, 2012)