American Marten

 

An American marten on the forest floor glancing up.

ERIC JOHNSTON

Mysterious Martens

The American marten (Martes americana), also known as the pine marten, is one of four members of the weasel family that call Isle Royale home. These shy animals are rarely seen on Isle Royale.

Characteristics

An adult marten ranges from 18 to 26 inches long and can weigh 1 to 3 pounds. As a member of the weasel family, martens are relatively small animals with long low-slung bodies, short legs, round ears, a thick and silky coat, and scent glands. The marten does not use its scent gland for protection, but rather uses them to mark their territory ranges. Martens use their long tails and claws to help them move quickely through the forest, often on treetops.

 

Behavior and Breeding

• Mostly solitary animals, except for breeding.
• Primarily hunts for small mammals such as deer mice, red squirrles, and snowshoe hares.
• Begin mating in midwinter.
• Litters have two to five young. 

 

An American marten standing in a pine tree.

NPS / JACOB W. FRANK

Where are the Martens?

Martens are shy animals that are more active during dawn, late afternoon, at night, and on overcast days. During the heat of the day, martens will use hollow trees, fallen logs, rock dens, or red squirrel nests as resting spots. They are found living in all northern forest types but seem to prefer conifers or mixed conifer-hardwoods. This makes Isle Royale excellent habitat for marten, but their elusiveness had put their existance on Isle Royale in question. In the early 1900s, there were so few sightings that it was believed the marten was no longer on Isle Royale. The discovery of a dead marten in 2006, as well as increased sightings, have proved that martens still live on the island, despite rarely being spotted.

See a Marten?

If you are one of the rare visitors to see a marten while on Isle Royale, take note of the location and time of day to share with a ranger.

 

• 

  Otter

  River otters are among the best swimmers in the weasel family.

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  Beaver

  Beaver create important aquatic habitat for other island creatures.

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  Mammals

  The 18 mammal species present on the island must cross Lake Superior.