Wednesday, 15 February 2012
Pine Marten
Scientific Name:
Martes martes
Weight:
Approx. the size of a domestic cat - up to 1.7kg.
Lifespan:
Up to 10 years.
Also Known As:
Tree weasel Description
A long bushy tail with long rich grey/brown fur on its upper parts, the throat or bib of the pine marten is creamy-yellow.
Distribution
Most British Pine Martens are found in the north of Scotland, and although there have been sightings further south in North Yorkshire and Northumberland, they are rarely seen.
Habitat
Woodland, scrubby cliff and sometimes mountainous areas are the home of the elusive Pine Marten. It will make its home in rock crevices, birds nests, holes in trees and old squirrel dreys.
Predators
Man is the main enemy of the Pine Marten which is now a partially protected species. Occasionally, Pine Martens may become the prey of the red fox or golden eagle.
Reproduction
The Pine Marten gives birth to as many as three/five kits, after mating in July or August. (The pregnancy does not begin until around January, after the implantation of the fertilised egg). The young are born in March or April.
Status
The Pine Marten is probably Britain's rarest mammal.
Did You Know?
Due to its consumption of large amounts of blaeberries (maybe 30% of its diet in summer) the Pine Marten's scat takes on a blueish colour. The Pine Marten was once hunted for its fur. Most of the day is spent resting, and the Pine Marten usually begins hunting at dusk.
Footprint Description
5 digital pads with short blunt claws, giving digital pads a pointed appearance in prints. Interdigital pad sometimes appears square, other times it shows 4 or 5 fused lobes. Full hand outlines are quite common, and proximal webbing and fur may also show in prints on soft ground.
Footprint Size
Hind foot - 8.5x6cm, fore foot - 8x6cm. Stride approx 50cm.
Droppings Images
Droppings Description
Pine Martens use regular latrines, usually on a boulder or log in a conspicuous spot. Droppings are usually dark in colour, have the typical coiled mustelid construction and can have a slimy appearance when fresh due to mucous binding them together.Droppings can be 4-12cm in length. Food remains may vary - fur,feathers,bone fragments or seeds. Nearly always has some plant content.