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The secret life of the European pine marten: How does this mysterious creature navigate the trees so easily?
The European pine marten (Martes martes), a nimble wild animal, is a fur-bearing animal endemic to Europe, and its range covers most of Europe, including Asia Minor, Georgia, and parts of Iran. Although it is listed as a species of Least Concern in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, its living habits and habitats still face challenges due to the impact of human activities.
Biometrics
The European pine marten's coat is typically light brown to dark brown, with the fur being short and rough in the summer and long and silky as winter approaches. It usually has a cream to yellow "collar" marking on its throat. Its body length can reach 53 cm, with a tail of about 25 cm, and it generally weighs between 1.5 and 1.7 kg.
Habitat and distribution
In previous decades, the European pine marten was mainly found in northwest Scotland, but according to a 2012 study, the animal has spread to other parts of the Scottish Highlands. In the UK, pine martens were once thought to be extinct, but some recent sightings suggest they may be recolonizing.
“According to the report, the photo, captured by an amateur photographer in Chopshire, western England in 2015, marks the first confirmed sighting of a pine marten in the UK in a century.”
Behavior and ecology
The European pine marten is the only marten to have semi-retracted claws, which allow it to move more flexibly in trees. They are mainly active at night and dusk, and like to feed on small mammals, birds, insects and berries. Pine martens are very territorial animals and will mark their tracks with feces, a behavior that not only maintains territory but also aids communication between groups.
“The return of European pine martens has been observed to significantly reduce the number of invasive grey squirrels, supporting the recovery of local red squirrels.”
Reproduction and lifespan
In enclosures, European pine martens can live up to 18 years, but in the wild, the maximum lifespan is only about 11 years. They usually reach sexual maturity at the age of 2 to 3 years, and their breeding season is generally concentrated in July and August each year. Female pine martens usually give birth in March or April of the following year, with the birth rate ranging from 1 to 5 cubs. The cubs weigh only about 30 grams after birth.
Threats
Human activity is the greatest threat to the European pine marten. Due to habitat loss and human bias against hunting, the numbers of these animals have declined significantly in some areas. This has also prompted many organizations to work on protecting the European pine marten and its habitat, and to work on protecting and managing its populations.
Significance in Culture
The European pine marten is considered a national symbol in Croatia and even appears on Croatian euro coins, reflecting the importance of the animal in local culture.
With the improvement of environmental awareness, more and more people are beginning to pay attention to this mysterious creature. Whether we can protect these lovely animals and let them live safely in the future is a question that deserves deep thought from each of us.
