Marten
Last Update/Review: June 3, 2002
Martes americana
The marten is the most arboreal member of the weasel family, spending much of its time hunting in trees. Its long, bushy tail and distinctive buff chest patch allow for easy identification. Marten reach a weight of 1.5 kilograms and average 65-75 centimetres in length.
Marten inhabit the mixedwood, foothill and montane zones and may travel for miles without touching the ground. They commonly hunt red squirrels and can match their prey's every move in a high speed tree-top chase.
Their diet also includes other rodents, grouse, insects, eggs and occasionally nuts or fruits. The marten's only natural enemies are the equally agile fisher as well as lynx, great horned owls and wolves.
Mating occurs in July or August and litters of three or four young arrive the following March or April.
Trapping
The marten regularly ranks in the top five of the most valuable furbearers in Alberta each year. In 2000-2001, Alberta trappers produced 6748 marten pelts at a mean price of $42.74 per pelt, or a total production for the province of $288 410.
Marten are trapped from early November to late January, depending on the region. Pelts are in their prime from mid-November to mid-January.
