American Marten

The American Marten (Marten americana) is common in Alaska, their range covering the entire state from southeast to northwest where woodlands border on the arctic tundra. Along with the mink, otter, weasel, etc., Marten belongs to the Mustelidae family. Being arboreal animals, American Marten dwell in coniferous and deciduous forests. American Marten can also be found in Canada and in the Rocky Mountains. Extensive fur industry and hunting have resulted in a sharp decline of the Marten population, but he is in a much better position than the Fisher and the Newfoundland Marten.

American Marten are agile predators, and they feed primarily on small rodents, such as meadow and red-backed voles. They also pick on larger animals, such as red squirrels. Their ratio also extends to fish, insects and carrion. More often than not, American martens take food from humans, and they are known to appreciate jam. These animals also feed on nuts, fruits and berries.

The American Marten has an elongated and slender body covered in dense brown fur. The fur is lighter around the muzzle (light brown or grayish), and there are dark lines running from the corner of each eye and up across the forehead. He has a long bushy tail and a pointed snout. Body length varies from 19 to 25 inches (not including tail). Marten are excellent climbers, because they have sharp semi-retractile claws. Large pads enable them to freely walk over snow-drifted areas. Marten are solitary and territorial animals, and males defend their home ranges aggressively. They maintain territories of 1 to 3 square miles. Females have smaller home ranges.

Marten mate in summer, mostly in its second half. They are polygamous, i. e. males can mate with several females, depending on how many females occur within his home range. Fertilized eggs remain dormant for about six months after mating. After that, it takes 2 to 3 months for embryos to develop, and young are born around the middle of spring. Litters average 2-4 young. They are born blind, and their eyes open by age of 5-7 weeks. By fall, they start feeding on their own. American Marten reach sexual maturity by 2 years of age, and some females are known to have matured by 15 months old.