The British Wildlife Centre Collection

Pine Marten - Martes martes

British Wildlife Centre
The pine marten is a large member of the Mustelid (weasel) family. Its preferred habitat is thick woodland or rocky hillsides, with dens frequently made in hollow logs or rock crevices, but also in rabbit burrows or the roofs of old buildings. They have large territories of 5 - 15 km2 for females and perhaps twice as much for males.

Their diet is varied, consisting mainly of small rodents, birds, beetles, eggs and berries. Although agile enough to take squirrels, there is little evidence of them doing so in this country, although in Scandinavia this has been documented. The fox is both a predator of pine martens and a competitor for its food sources.

Found throughout Europe, in Britain they are primarily concentrated in the Scottish highlands and Grampians, with smaller populations in parts of northern England and Wales. Reintroduction in England and Wales has been advocated, but further study of their habitat needs and the likely impact on other species is needed before a formal programme could be carried out.


Pine Marten (Martes martes) [Photo: Robin Redfern]

British Distribution

key.jpg (767 bytes)   British Distribution

Origin: Native
Size: Head/body length: males 51 - 54 cm; females 46 - 54 cm. Tail length: males 26 - 27 cm; females 18 - 24 cm. Weight: males 1.5 - 2.2 kg; females 0.9 - 1.5 kg
Description: Dark brown fur; yellow/white throat patch; long fluffy tail.
Habitat: Primarily well wooded areas, but also crags and scrub.
Young: Litters of 1-5 are born in early spring, and stay with the mother for about 6 weeks. Leave the den by mid June. The father plays no part in rearing the young.
Nest: Usually in a hollow log, or obscured within fallen trees and roots. Sometimes in cliffs, rock crevices or cairns.
Diet: Varied diet, with voles and mice forming the greater part. Also birds, eggs, beetles, fungi and berries (especially in the autumn).
Population: Pre-breeding season estimated to be 3,300 (only 120 in England, 60 in Wales, rest in Scotland).

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