American Marten Species Profile, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. General Description. The American marten (Martes americana) is a carnivorous, furbearing member of the weasel family. Although similar in color, size, and shape to mink, martens are usually found in the uplands while mink are more associated with streams and coastal areas.
In Southeast Alaska, martens naturally occurred on only the mainland and a few adjacent islands. Subsequently, martens were transplanted to the remainder of the larger islands. Through recent studies, the martens on Admiralty and Kuiu islands appear to belong to a unique genetic type which some believe is a separate species (Pacific marten Martes caurina). American martens are found from Southeast Alaska all the way up to the northern and western portions of the state where the last trees disappear and the true arctic tundra begins.
Lighter- colored martens tend to have grayish brown tails, while darker animals have dark brown tail fur. The fur around the muzzle varies from gray to light brown with a short dark line extending up the forehead from the corner of each eye. The marten's throat and upper chest are usually pale or buff or deep orange. The ears are erect and rounded. Martens vary in body length from 1.
They may weigh up to nearly 4 pounds (1. Males are considerably larger than females. The tail accounts for nearly a third of the marten's total length. Martens have sharp, non- retractable claws which they use for climbing as well as for holding their prey. Large furry paws allow the marten to travel easily over deep snow. Mating encounters are temporary and males may mate with multiple females which live within their home ranges. Mating occurs in July and August.
Fertilization is followed by a period of delayed implantation, during which the fertilized eggs do not develop beyond the multi- cellular blastosyst stage. After six months the blastocysts implant in the uterus and embryos begin to develop, growing rapidly for about 2. The litter, averaging three young, is born in April or May.
Sparsely covered with fine, yellowish hair, their eyes do not open until they are 5 to 6 weeks of age. Under their mother's care, young martens grow rapidly. By late summer they can forage for themselves and become independent. Juvenile martens usually disperse from their mother's territory during the autumn. Martens normally mate for the first time when they are 2 years old and bear young in their third year. Some females may breed at 1. Fluctuations in food availability often create corresponding variations in marten populations.
This condition is more pronounced in the less optimum habitat of the marten. Probably the second most critical food source is berries, especially blueberries, followed by small birds, eggs, and vegetation. The marten is a voracious and opportunistic feeder. Carrion such as the remains of wolf kills or salmon carcasses are eaten in many areas. Wild martens are fond of sweets such as jam.
The stoat is entirely similar to the least weasel in general proportions, manner of posture, and movement, though the tail is relatively longer, always exceeding a. The endangered black-footed ferret is a member of the weasel family. It is the only ferret native to North America—the domestic ferret is a different species of. When prey is plentiful, a frenzied weasel will often kill much more than it can eat. This is no problem; the leftovers will keep. Weasels evolved in cold climates. The least weasel (Mustela nivalis) is an invasive predator that lives in New Zealand.
They will sometimes take treats from humans. It has been reported that red squirrels are a major food source for martens, but this does not seem to be the case in Alaska. In fact, the two seem to get along quite well. Martens commonly use red squirrel middens as resting places. Although martens are suited for nocturnal foraging, they are also active during mornings and evenings, especially during the long days of summer.
Within sexes, home ranges are exclusive with little overlap. Home ranges of martens vary in size in response to population levels and food availability. Although 1 square mile may be sufficient for a male when food is abundant; 1. When food is in very short supply, martens may leave their regular home range areas entirely and travel extensively to find food.
Young begin to disperse in late summer, looking for vacant space to establish a home range. While hunting for food, martens cross their home range areas frequently seeking areas with small mammals and resting sites. When crossing open swamps, lakes, or bogs, martens uses every tree for cover, perhaps for protection from large carnivores and birds of prey. In Southeast Alaska, martens select cavities in large, old- growth trees for denning and resting. If snow conditions prohibit burrowing, martens will climb the nearest tree to avoid capture. When all else fails, martens will stand and fight.
SEA OTTER FACTS : Scientific Name: Enhydra lutris kenyoni. Family: The sea otter is the largest member of the Mustelidae, or weasel family, and the only one which. Aside from a very bad joke on the subject, telling the difference between a stoat(Mustela erminea) and a weasel(Mustela nivalis) is very difficult at a glance, which. Lemurs are small primates known as "prosimians," which, roughly translated, means "pre-primates" or "before monkeys." Native only to the island of Madagascar.
They are often associated with mature and old- growth evergreen forests. In southeast Alaska, female density ranged from 0. Forest management practices play an important role in conservation of martens since they are most often associated with mature- old growth forested habitats.
Florida Hawks- Learn all about Florida hawks including, red tailed hawk, red shouldered hawk, Sharp Shinned Hawk, short tailed hawks.
Long-tailed Weasel is larger and tail its is longer. Least Weasel is smaller, has a short tail, and lacks a black tip on the tail. American Mink are larger with a.