The American (or pine) marten is a predator species that belong to the weasel family. Before the late 1800s, the marten was common in northern Minnesota. Because of logging, most of its wooded habitat was lost and by 1920 pine martens had almost disappeared from Minnesota. The full recovery of the population by 1990 is a DNR management success story.
Habitat
Pine martens were once thought to live only in old conifer (evergreen) forests. But now biologists have learned that martens now live in all of northern Minnesota in both deciduous (leafy) and conifer forests. Adult martens live in an area of about 2-4 square miles. During cold weather, martens have a hard time keeping warm, so they tunnel deep under the snow into tangles of tree roots for warmth.
Reproduction
Martens lead a solitary life. Generally, they avoid other martens, but as the mating season comes, they come out of dens, looking for mates. Pine martens are pregnant for about nine months, but the fetus only develops during the last two months. Females bear 2-6 young from March to May and can mate in their second summer. Dens are usually in bushes, hollow logs, trees, and rock crevices. Litters also called Kits can open their eyes at 6 weeks, are ready to leave the nest at 2 months, and disperse in the fall. Adult male martens do not aid in raising the young.
Food
Martens have varied diets corresponding to the seasonal availability of food. They are opportunists and will commonly feed on a variety of amphibians, reptiles, mammals, insects Birds, eggs, and berries. Martens can be both nocturnal and diurnal. Hunting time is sunrise and sunset – the time of increased activity of all prey species. During winter when there is deep snow, martens hunt under the snow in tunnels. Martens also often visit bird feeders during winter to hunt the birds that visit the feeders.
Spotting One
The pine marten is about 30-24 inches long (including the tail) and weighs about 2 pounds. Male pine martens are slightly larger than the females. Pine Martens are golden brown with a lighter yellow fur on the chest. Its long body and small rounded ears make the marten one of Minnesota’s “cutest” predators. It is rare that you will see a pine marten on the ground as they spend most of their time in the trees hunting for smaller mammals.