Pacific Marten
Martes caurina
Pacific Martens can rotate their hind ankles 180 degrees, allowing them to climb down tree trunks headfirst just like squirrels.
- Scientific name
- Martes caurina
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Mammalia › Carnivora › Mustelidae › Martes
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- decreasing
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Late-successional coniferous forests with abundant coarse woody debris and canopy cover.
- Diet
- Omnivorous, primarily preying on small mammals like voles and squirrels, supplemented by birds, insects, fruit, and fungi.
- Range
- Pacific Northwest of North America, Cascade Mountains, Sierra Nevada, Rocky Mountains
- Size
- 48-68 cm in length (including tail), weighing 0.5-1.4 kg
- Lifespan
- 5 to 10 years in the wild
- Active
- crepuscular
- Threats
- Habitat fragmentation from logging, wildfire, loss of old-growth forest structures, and climate change.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and generally shy. Maintain a safe distance of 15-20 feet and enjoy watching its acrobatic movements. Do not attempt to corner, feed, or touch it, as it may bite defensively if trapped. In the rare event of a bite, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention to prevent infection.
The Pacific marten ( Martes caurina ) is a species of North American mammal, a member of the family Mustelidae. It is found throughout western North America.
Photo: Sam Eberhard, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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