Pine Marten – Martes Americana

Distinguishing Features – Overall colouration, lustrous fur, varying from pale buff to dark brown; underparts paler brown. Ears, pale with whitish edges. Body, long; feet, dark brown; claws, semi-retractable.

Size

Male: .54 – 63 m (1.8 – 2.1 ft)
Female: .48 – .6 m (1.6 – 2 ft)

Habitat

Source: youtube.com

Throughout Northwestern Ontario, preferring mature coniferous forests; also in mixed stands and cedar swamps; sometimes around picnic sites, logging camps and garbage dumps.

Diet

Primarily a carnivore; rodents; also birds, insects, reptiles, fish, crayfish, fruits and carrion.

Notes

Although it has been extensively trapped for its fur in the past, the marten population is stable. A female will produce one litter of 3 – 4 offspring a year.