The American marten (Martes americana)
;)
is a North American species of northern wooded regions. It is also called pine marten; its fur is sometimes sold as American, or Hudson Bay, sable. Its adult length is 35-43 centimetres (14-17 inches), exclusive of the 18-23-cm tail. It weighs 1-2 kilograms (2-4 pounds) and has a yellowish-brown coat deepening to dark brown on tail and legs, with a pale whitish or yellowish throat patch.
Distribution - The marten occurs throughout most of Canada, Alaska and the Northeast of the US, particularly in coniferous forests.
Biology - In April, 2-4 young are born blind in a leaf nest. The marten feeds on squirrels, rabbits, birds, mice, eggs, berries, seeds and honey. Their valuable pelts have led to their extirpation in many areas and logging has destroyed their habitats. Martens are now protected.
Tracks - Although the tracks of the mink and marten are very similar, the habitat is not. While the mink prefers the water the marten is partial to land. Generally the marten has a larger track and in winter the feet are covered in hair which obscures the five toe pads. This hair is not evident in the warmer months. The trail of the marten will show the over-lapping of the front and hind feet and while running a series of four prints in a rough line, a space then the series of four prints is characteristic.
Straddle: 8 - 11 cm (3.2 - 4.4 in)
Stride: 23 - 66 cm (9.2 - 26.4 in)
Track: 3.5 cm (1.4 in) long / 4 cm (1.6 in) wide
One species or two? - The occurrence of two distinct species of pine marten in North America was generally recognized prior to the work of Wright (1953). He reported evidence of individuals with intermediate morphology, concluded that the two forms were interbreeding, and therefore relegated caurina to subspecies status within americana; this usage has been followed ever since. However, genetic evidence identifies subspecies of americana and caurina as distinct maternal lineages, which may therefore be considered good 'phylogenetic' species. The genetic analysis supports the hypothesis that the two North American subspecies groups should once again be considered two distinct species: Martes americana (Turton, 1806) and Martes caurina (Merriam, 1890), respectively. [after Carr & Hicks 1997]
compiled from:
British Columbia Adventure Network - http://bcadventure.com/adventure/wilderness/animals/marten.htm
Memorial University of Newfoundland - http://www.mun.ca/biology/scarr/Martes_americana_vs_caurina.htm