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Photo source:
Newfoundland Marten © 2003
Newfoundland Marten Education Committee
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American Martens - Breeding Season
American Martens are solitary animals that may be seen together only during the breeding season or at the time of rearing the young. Actually, they do not tolerate the presence of same sexed Martens on their territory. When meeting one, American Martens use vocalization to show that the intruder is not welcomed. Baring of teeth, growling, hissing, and huffing are the signs of undisguised hostility.
Yet, much changes in mid-summer, the time of the breeding season. July and August can be said to be a sort of armistice between males and females. They find each other by the means of strong scent left by glands. Courting consists of play or fighting and ends with mating. After that, both the male and female depart to probably search for another partner. American Martens are polygamous and mate with more than one partner during a breeding season. Males usually do not take part in rearing the newly born.
American Martens - Life Cycle
American Martens have a delayed implantation. This phenomenon is rather common in the members of the weasel family. Delayed implantation allows American Martens to give birth to their offspring in early spring and take care of them in the subsequent weeks having sufficient food. Embryo's development stops at an early stage and is not renewed until January-February. After the cells implant in the uterus, a rapid two months growth of the embryo begins. A litter from 2 to 5 kits is born in March-April.
An American Marten female takes care to arrange a den before the actual time of birth. Rock crevices, hollow trees and similar places are at the discretion of the female. After the choice is made, the female stuffs the den with leaves, grass, and other materials serving as a lining. The kits will comfortably reside here until they are capable of hunting on their own.
American Marten kits are born blind and lightly furred. At the age of 5 weeks old, the eyes open. Two more weeks are enough for them to be weaned. They grow rapidly and by the age of three months old are ready to leave their mother in search of prey and a home range of their own. Individual females are reported to breed at the age of 15 months old. Yet, most American Martens appear to be sexually mature no sooner than at the age of 24 months.
American Martens - Educational Links
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Photo source:
Newfoundland Marten © 2003
Newfoundland Marten Education Committee
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American Marten - Habitat, life history, status, conservation, and fire hazard status.
American Marten Description - Information on habitat, distribution, diet, social structure, and behavior.
American Marten in the Pacific Northwest -PDF file with information on population differentiation across a landscape fragmented in time and space.
American Marten Response to Forest Characteristics - Informs on the types of habitats the American Marten is found at and the methods of the analysis.
American Marten Winter Habitat - Species description and distribution, food, cover, reproduction, habitat area, and habitat suitability index model. PDF file.
American Martens in Michigan - Contains history of the American Marten in Michigan, trapping information, and related links.
American Pine Marten - Geographic range, history, food habits, reproduction, behavior, and economic importance to humans.
American Sable - Visit the site for the species' description, distribution, behavior, food, management, utilization, and status.
Biodiversity in the Northern Lake States - General information on the species, taxonomy, life history, habitat, and conservation.
California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System - Distribution, abundance, specific habitat requirements, and life history.
Critter Corner - Educational site for children. General information on the species including habitat, foods, and conservation status.
Elusive Ghosts of the Deep Forest - Article by Dan Banks gives the insight on the life of the American Marten.
eNature - Description of the American Marten, breeding habitat, range, and links to regional information on the species including American Martens in California, Pacific Northwest, and Rocky Mountains.
Endangered Species - Brief information on the Newfoundland American Marten.
General Information - Explore the American Marten's distribution, habitat requirements, and fire effects.
Marten - General description, life history, food habits, and management.
Martens in California - PDF file contains information on the current distribution of the American Marten in California.
Martens in Colorado - Page for those who want to educate themselves on the species. Also contains information on hunting and conservation in Colorado.
Martes americana - Conservation, status, distribution, rank factors, economic attributes, ecology and life history.
Minnesota Profile: American Marten - History of the species in Minnesota and basic facts.
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Photo source:
Yahooligans! © 2003
Yahoo! Inc.
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Mysterious Marten - Article by Glens Falls, a nature photographer.
Nature Wildfacts - BBC Wildfacts offers information on the American Marten in brief.
Newfoundland Marten - Educational site for children. Distribution and habitat, research, a photo gallery, and more.
One Day Love Affair - An article with a photo gallery.
Pine Marten Cursorality - Postcranial skeletal size of Pine Marten as an indicator of environment conditions.
Predator Information - General information on the species. Also links to articles and a list of recommended reading on the American Marten with comments and extracts.
Survey Methods for Detection - United States Department of Agriculture offers information on methods for detection the American Marten, Fisher, Lynx, and Wolverine.
The American Marten - Description, range, habitat, diet, ecology, reproduction, and conservation status.
The Pine Marten - General information on the species, habits, and conservation efforts.
Yukon Mammal Series - Distribution, characteristics, and lifestyle.
