Marten

Marten, carnivorous mammal widely distributed throughout the northern hemisphere and valued for its thick fur. Martens are long and graceful animals, with short legs, and toes armed with sharp claws. Martens live in hollows of trees when they are not in search of the rodents, birds, and birds' eggs that constitute their food. The common American species is the American marten, which is about 60 to 90 cm (about 12 to 36 in) in total length, with a tail about 20 cm (about 8 in) long. The animal is yellowish-chestnut in general body color, with darker feet, and orange or white on the throat and chest.

The American marten is extensively hunted and today survives in abundance only in areas where it is protected. About five young are produced in each litter. The baum marten (or pine marten), with a yellow throat, and the stone marten (or beech marten), with a white throat, are found in Europe and Asia. Other martens include the sable and the fisher, which is dark brown and about 90 cm (36 in) long with a 46-cm (18-in) bushy tail.

Scientific classification: Martens belong to the family Mustelidae, which also contains weasels, skunks, and badgers. The American marten is classified as Martes americana, the baum marten as Martes martes, the stone marten as Martes foina, the sable as Martes zibellina, and the fisher as Martes pennanti.