American marten Martes Americana
Order Carnivore flesh-eating mammals of great diversity in habitat and appearance
Suborder Pinnipedia– mostly marine and Suborder Fissipedia– mostly land-living
Suborder Fissipedia
- long pointed canine teeth
- 3 incisors on both sides of both jaws
- a divided foot with 4 toes
Family Mustelidae Weasels, minks, martens, fishers, wolverines, badgers, otters, & skunks All have short legs with 5 toes on each foot, fur of fine quality, highly developed scent glands, a short nose. One molar on each side of upper jaw, two molars on each side of lower jaw)
Habitat: dense conifer forest & rockslides in high mountains. Secretive
Eats: squirrels, mice, hares, voles, and berries.
ID traits:
- Bushy cylindrical tail
- Rich yellow-brown fur
- Large cat-like ears
- Size of a tree squirrel
- Often seen in trees
- Feet and tail-tip blackish
- Yellow-orange on throat & chest
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- Photo: Drew & Cathy Gaylord- remote camera, Wenatchee Mountains
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- Photo: http://wdfw.wa.gov/gallery/index
