American Marten

American Marten. Arboreal acrobat , Martes americana. , American martens are small and agile members of the weasel family. With their sharp claws, they easily climb trees and jump from branch to branch. Strong scent glands are used to mark trails through the treetops and territories on land. Martens are opportunistic feeders and forage mostly on the ground. Their diet varies seasonally, and includes rodents and other small mammals, birds, eggs, insects, berries, beechnuts, and carrion. Martens are very curious, and actively investigate every crevice, log, or stump in search of food They are active throughout the year and often tunnel under snow in search of prey. Broad feet and fur-covered soles enable martens to travel on deep snow. Martens prefer mature coniferous or mixed-wood forests. These areas provide important prey habitat, protection from predators, and denning and resting sites., Historically, martens were common in the forests that covered much of North America. Loss of habitat, and trapping eliminated the species in the southern portion of its former range. Martens are now found in the forests of Canada and Alaska, northern New England and the Great Lakes region, and south through the Rocky Mountain and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges. Reintroduction programs have been successful in restoring marten populations in certain areas.