Mammals

American Pine Marten

(Martes americana)

Species Description

**Description:** A slender, cat-sized member of the weasel family with silky yellowish-brown fur and a distinct orange throat patch.

**Size & Weight:** 19–27 inches long (including tail). Weighs 1.5–3 lbs.

**Sexual Dimorphism:** Males are roughly 15–20% larger than females.

**Behavior:** Nicknamed "Tree Foxes," they are incredibly agile climbers that chase squirrels through the high canopy.

**Status:** Extirpated by 1900, but currently part of a major 10-year reintroduction plan in the ANF due to its mature forest structure.

💡 Fun Facts

The American Marten was a native resident of the Kinzua region before being lost to deforestation and unregulated harvest by 1900.
They are nicknamed "Tree Foxes" because they are incredibly agile climbers, often chasing squirrels through the high canopy.
A 2022 feasibility study confirmed that the Allegheny National Forest contains some of the highest-quality marten habitat in the state.
Martens act as important ecosystem indicators; their presence usually signifies a healthy, structurally complex forest.
Unlike many other weasels, martens are omnivorous and will supplement their diet of rodents with berries and mountain ash fruit in the fall.
Martens are known for their "sky-walking" abilities, spending most of their time in the upper canopy to avoid ground-based predators like coyotes.
A marten’s paws are naturally oversized and furred, acting like snowshoes that allow them to run across deep, soft powder without sinking.