Mammal Web Page


http://images.google.com/images?q=american+marten&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Carinivora
Family	Mustelidae
Genus	Martes
Species	Martes americana

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Description on the American Pine Marten

The head and body length is 360-450mm with a 150-230mm tail for males. Females are slightly larger and lighter. Their fur is long and shiny. The head is gray and tail are very dark brown or black. The chest had a cream colored patch and the back is light brown. General body shape is long and slender. They have large eyes, cat-like ears, and curve sharp claws. Martens usually weigh one to three pounds but may weigh as much as six. Their powerful jaws and large canine teeth are adapted for eating meat, although they eat many other foods as well.

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Habitat of the American Pine Marten

The marten's prime habitat is the coniferous forest. They like to den in hollow trees, crevices, or vacant ground burrows. They prefer woods with a mixture of coniferous and deciduous trees including, hemlock, white pine, yellow birch, maple, fir and spruce. The male marten's territory is1-3 square miles, while a female's may range in size from 0.5 to 1.0 square miles. The marten usually stays in the coniferous and deciduous trees more then the burrows.

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The Range of the American Pine Marten

The marten is found in, Newfound Land and Scotia to Alaska. Also south into sections of the Rocky Mountain range and California. They are found sporadically in parts of New York state, Michigan, Minnesota, Maine, and Wisconsin.

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The food for the American Pine Marten

The marten is an opportunistic feeder that eats small mammals such as squirrels, and rodents. They occasionally eat birds, fruits, nuts, insects, and carrion. The main attack technique on mammals consists of a quick powerful bite to the back of the neck.

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The Life Cycle of the American Pine Marten

The breeding season occurs from June to August. Mates find each other by means of strong sent marks left by anal glands. After mating, fertilization of the eggs is delayed and does not take place until February. The 1-5 young (kits) are born in late March or early April in dens. They are weaned after 42 days and full sized is reached very quickly around 3 1/2 months after birth.

Important factors that the American Pine Marten need to survive

The American martens need coniferous forests and dens to survive. Also to suvive the Marten needs mice and other small rodents to feed on.

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Fun Facts on the American Pine Marten

1. The fur of the marten is very valuable

2. They usually avoid each other

3. The species has been eliminated in many areas due to over hunting

4. They are a home in water

5. Martens are very hard to observe so seeing one is considered "lucky"

6. Trapping of this species has brought in $100/pelt in the past but prices in the $2-$20 range are more common.

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Human Impact on the American Pine Marten.

Negative: The species could possibly be considered a pest of game species such as the grey fox, squirrels, and rabbits

Positive: The pelt pf a marten is very valuable and people can make lots of money off of it.

Description	Habitat	Range	Food	Life Cycle
Survival	Facts	Human Impact	References	Links