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.
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.
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.
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.
