What kind of animal is marten? We will introduce and explain its characteristics, ecology, appearance, and habitat. A marten is a mammal that can be seen mainly in Japan. Martens live throughout Japan, and like weasels, they sometimes appear in private homes and cause damage. I will explain what characteristics it has.
What is Ten? About basic status
Martens are carnivores classified in the class Mammalia, order Felidae (order Carnivora), suborder Canis, family Mustelidae, genus Marten. The scientific name is Martes melampus. The body length is 44-55cm, the tail length is 17-23cm, and the weight is 1-1.5kg. It has a lot of hair and lives in Hokkaido and Honshu. Below is a list of basic information. It looks similar to palm civet or weasel species.
| Japanese（和名） | テン |
| English（英名） | Japanese marten |
| scientific name(学名) | Martes melampus |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、 Carnivora、Mustelidae、Martes 哺乳綱、食肉目、イタチ科、テン属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN- ENDANGERED |
| Length（体長） | 44-55cm |
| Weight（体重） | 1-1.5kg |
About classification
There is a theory that sable and pine martens are combined into one species in the genus Marten, but the basic classification is as follows. The Tsushima marten has been designated as a national natural monument.
| Name (名前) | Scientific Name (学名) | Habit (生息地) |
| Japanese marten ホンドテン | Martes melampus melampus | Japan 日本の本土 |
| Tsusima marten ツシマテン | Martes melampus tsuensis | Hokkaido 北海道 |
| Korean marten コウライテン | Martes melampus coreensis | Korea 韓国 |
About habitat
Most martens live in Japan (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu). However, some of them can also be seen on the Korean Peninsula. However, they are also pests, and if you find them nearby during daylight hours, they are easy to eliminate.
- Geographical Distribution
Distributed widely across Eurasia. It mainly lives in the following regions:
Europe: Britain, France, Germany, Scandinavia, and western Russia
Asia: Siberia, Mongolia, northern China, and Japan (Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu)
Distributed in cold regions in the north and mountainous and forested areas in the south.
- Habitat Characteristics
Forest: Prefers forests rich in trees, such as deciduous broadleaf forests, mixed forests, and coniferous forests.
Also adapted to arboreal life: Skilled at climbing trees, they use tree holes and gaps in fallen logs for nests and resting places.
Near water: They may also live near rivers and lakes, where there are many small animals to feed on.
- Movement and Home Range
They are primarily solitary, with each individual having its own territory.
Males have territories of 2-4 km², while females have territories of 1-2 km².
They are nocturnal and crepuscular, often resting in burrows or tree cavities during the day.
- Relationship between Diet and Ecology
They are omnivorous, but tend to be carnivorous: they eat small mammals such as squirrels and mice, as well as birds, insects, and fruit.
As they are skilled tree climbers, squirrel and bird nests are also included in their diet.
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
Martens live in low mountains to subalpine coniferous forests, and are mainly solitary. Martens have the unusual property that their coat color changes between summer and winter. In the summer it is tan with a black face, and in the winter it is tan with a white face. It is good at climbing trees and moves with agility.
- Appearance and Physical Characteristics
Body Type: Slender, flexible body, short legs, and a long, bushy tail.
Body Length and Weight:
Body Length: Approximately 40-50 cm (Tail Length: Approximately 20-25 cm)
Weight: Approximately 0.8-1.5 kg
Fur Color: Back is dark brown to reddish-brown, belly is slightly lighter in color.
Face and Head: Rounded face, small ears, and pointed nose.
Distinctive Chest Hair: Many individuals have yellow-orange markings on their throats and chests.
- Behavior and Ecology
Nocturnal and Crepuscular: Rests during the day in tree hollows and fallen logs.
Solitary Lifestyle: Generally maintains a territory, only encountering other individuals during breeding season.
Arboreal Lifestyle: Skilled at climbing trees, they use branches and fallen logs to navigate and search for food.
Diet: Omnivorous, eating small mammals (such as mice and squirrels), birds, eggs, insects, and fruit.
- Special Characteristics
Agility: Able to move quickly both in trees and on the ground.
Highly territorial: Marks territory (with urine and anal gland secretions).
Low sociality, but males and females will come into contact during breeding season; females are primarily responsible for raising the young.
What is your personality like?
If you just look at the outside, the marten looks like a very cute animal. However, they are quite aggressive and you need to be careful when encountering them. They may attack you here. They become very strong-willed animals.
- Basic Personality
Timid but curious: They are wary of predators and humans, but may also show interest in new environments and objects.
Highly cautious: Because they are susceptible to predation, they always pay close attention to their surroundings.
- Sociality/Behavior
Solitary: They have territories and only interact with others during breeding season.
Highly territorial: They mark their territory (with urine and anal gland secretions).
Resting quietly during the day, active at night: They are nocturnal, hunting and exploring mainly during the dark hours.
- Predation/Hunting Personality
Strong hunting instinct: They are very agile and patient when targeting small mammals, birds, and insects.
Skilled in arboreal behavior: They are adept at climbing trees and crossing branches, and are also cautious when hunting.
- Overall
Martens are cautious, agile, and solitary small predators.
At the same time, they have a strong curiosity and hunting instinct, and are very active in climbing trees and exploring.
What does the ecology look like?
Martens are omnivorous animals and eat everything from small animals to fruits, mice, birds, and insects. Breeding begins in July-August and multiple offspring are born in April-May. The lifespan is about 10 years.
- Diet (What they eat)
Omnivorous, but leaning towards carnivory:
Mainly small mammals (mice, squirrels, etc.)
Birds and eggs
Insects and frogs
Fruit (especially fall berries)
Hunting method: Quickly captures prey both on the ground and in trees.
- Reproduction and Development
Breeding Season: Winter to Spring (varies by region)
Gestation Period: Approximately 9 months (including delayed embryo implantation)
Birth: Usually gives birth to 2-5 pups in burrows or tree cavities
Baby Development: Mothers nurse their young while teaching them hunting and tree climbing skills
Sexual Maturity: Reproduction begins at 1-2 years of age
- Behavior and Sociality
Solo Life: Males and females generally have their own territories.
Territory Range: Males are approximately 1-4 km², females are approximately 0.5-2 km²
Nocturnal and Crepuscular: Rest during the day in tree cavities and fallen logs
Tree and Ground Activity: Skilled at climbing trees, using branches and fallen logs for mobility
- Movement and Habitat Use
Uses burrows, fallen logs, and tree cavities in the forest
Frequently moves within their territory depending on food and breeding needs
Are there any natural enemies?
Natural enemies of martens include Steller’s sea eagle and white-tailed eagle. Because their bodies are more than one size larger, they are easily caught and eaten. Foxes and wild dogs are also natural enemies.
About Marten Cubs
This article provides a detailed explanation of marten (Martes martes) cubs, covering their appearance, growth, behavior, and mother-calf relationships.
- Appearance and Physical Characteristics
Body Color: Immediately after birth, they are pale brown, with a slightly lighter belly. As they grow, they turn the same dark brown as adults.
Body Length and Weight:
Body Length: Approximately 10-15 cm (excluding tail)
Weight: Approximately 30-50 g
Body Type: Very small and flexible, with short legs and a slender body.
- Growth and Development
Lactation: They are breastfed for approximately four weeks.
Weaning: They begin to eat a diet of small mammals and insects at four to six weeks of age.
Independence: They leave the den at two to three months of age and learn hunting and climbing skills from their mother.
Sexual Maturity: They are capable of breeding at approximately one year of age.
- Behavior and Mother-Child Relationships
Cubs spend close time with their mothers and are protected in dens and other safe areas.
Mothers teach their young how to hunt, climb trees, and avoid danger.
Cubs develop athletic and hunting skills through play with other animals.
- Threats and Survival
Cubs are more vulnerable to predators than adults, and are often targeted by birds of prey and foxes.
Insufficient protection from dens and their mothers reduces their chances of survival.
Are martens listed as an endangered species?
The Tsushima marten, which is a subspecies of the marten, is designated as a near-threatened species. There are several reasons why it is an endangered species.
be exterminated because it is a pest
Martens are pests that cause a variety of damage to humans. They can invade the ceilings and attics of houses and make noise. Manure smells bad. Additionally, martens are aggressive and can develop infections if bitten or scratched. Martens are also omnivorous pests, so they often target crops and livestock. Due to these factors, it will be exterminated.
Habitat destruction, traffic accidents
Habitat destruction and traffic accidents are also cited. Due to land development by humans, their habitat is shrinking, and they are now appearing in residential areas where humans live, causing a negative spiral where they are often run over by cars.
Difference between weasel and marten
Martens are often mistaken for weasels, but they are different creatures. Let’s explain the differences in each item.
Differences in hair color and pattern
Both weasels and martens change their body color between summer and winter, but the difference is that weasels are brownish-brown and martens are yellowish-brown. Weasels have dark brown markings around their eyes, and martens have whitish throats.
Difference in body shape
Weasels have a body length of 16 to 39 cm, while martens have a body length of 25 to 60 cm. The weasel weighs 80 to 800g, and the marten weighs about 0.5kg to 2kg.
difference in behavior
There are also behavioral differences. Weasels tend to be active during the day and night. Martens, on the other hand, are nocturnal and often rest in tree caves during the day.
Can martens be kept?
As explained above, martens have quite aggressive personalities, so it is quite difficult for the average person to keep them.
- Ecological Reasons
Requires a Wide Range of Movement: They have territories in forests, climbing trees and moving on the ground, which can cause stress in small captive cages.
Requires both arboreal and terrestrial activity: They are prone to lack of exercise, which can lead to stress and health problems.
Omnivorous but highly predatory: They have an instinct to catch small mammals and birds, making it difficult to satisfy their appetites with artificial diets alone.
- Laws and Regulations
In Japan, wild martens are not designated as designated invasive species or protected species, but wild capture may be restricted by local governments or nature conservation laws.
In European countries, martens are treated as natural monuments and protected species, and captivity requires permission.
- Conditions in Captivity
Captivity is very limited, and they are only kept in zoos, research facilities, and breeding shelters.
Keeping them requires ample space for exercise, arboreal structures, water sources, adequate food, and veterinary care, making it virtually impossible for individuals to maintain an appropriate environment.
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