The stone marten is a predator, despite its charming appearance. It's called the stone marten because it lives primarily in rocky areas. The animal poses less of a threat to humans than to the forest animals themselves.
The marten is generally the most common of all mammals. This furry forest dweller is a dangerous enemy to many animals and often poses a threat to humans.
General description of the stone marten
Many people are curious about what a stone marten looks like. An adult forest animal can reach quite considerable sizes, up to 60 cm in length, and weigh up to 2 and a half kgThe tail can reach 30 cm in length. Nevertheless, the stone marten is very beautiful and luxurious in appearance. The animal's fur is fluffy, shimmering in the sun and has a brownish tint. Its coloring also ranges from light beige, reddish, and yellowish-brown.
The stone marten has a slender, long body with a luxurious tail. Its muzzle is slightly elongated, yet the animal has a powerful jaw. Triangular ears adorn the crown of its head.
Nutrition
The stone marten feeds not only on raw meat, but also eggs, insects and their larvaeWild berries, frogs, and fish may also be part of its diet. This forest animal loves honey, so it occasionally visits beehives. Based on the above, it can be concluded that this animal is not at all picky about its food and will feed on whatever it can find, be it a plump caterpillar, a tasty, juicy strawberry, or perhaps even a hare.
The following berries are best suited for the proper development of the animal:
- raspberry;
- cherries;
- cherry;
- strawberries;
- blueberry.
Fruits include pears and all varieties of apples. Your pet will undoubtedly love nuts, as they contain all the necessary proteins and vegetable fats that help them develop properly and avoid developmental delays.
The main delicacy There are small rodents in the forest:
- mice;
- red squirrels;
- shrews;
- hares.
The animal also does not disdain small birds:
- partridges;
- woodpeckers;
- tits.
These animals are smart and know what to do to avoid starving to death in winter. They store all the necessary materials for survival during the harsh snowy season, as well as specific food. This is very important, because in addition to the cold, there is almost nothing to eat in winter; everyone hides under layers of snow and leaves. The animals love stock up on different types of berries, nuts, and eggsAs a rule, all of this is found in trees. And if someone else finds this prepared food, it's practically impossible for a marten to survive the winter without food. Only occasionally do hares and rodents pass by, but this is far from sufficient.
Habitat of the stone marten
The animal primarily inhabits mature oak and spruce forests. Only here does it feel cozy, spacious, and most comfortable. However, there are exceptions, and the animal can be found in fields and meadows. Rocky landscapes are not its forte; the animal cannot tolerate them.
Reproduction and care of young animals
Stone marten capable of reproducing after a year of lifePreferably in summer, the animal tries to find a forest mate. Oddly enough, a female's pregnancy lasts about 28 days. A single healthy female can give birth to up to four small animals. The cubs are born blind, completely hairless. They are able to open their eyes only after 30 days.
The average lifespan of a marten is about 3-4 years, but it is extremely rare for an animal to live 10 years.
Since the marten is a mammal, it is natural that it feeds its young with milk. The feeding period is approximately 40 days, then, after their teeth have emerged, the animals eat solid food and live with their mother for the rest of the season.
The main enemies of the stone marten
Although the marten is a very dangerous predator in itself, it still has many enemies. First and foremost is the ferocious wolf, the apex predator and master of the forest. Next come foxes, eagle owls, and stern hawks. Undoubtedly, all animals much larger than the marten are its primary enemies and competitors for food. Therefore, this forest animal doesn't always wander calmly through the forest; it carefully explores every hidden corner before resting and sleeping in one place or another.
The animal's lifestyle
The animal loves the hollows of dead trees, which range in height from 2 to 5 meters. Bird nests and crevices between rocks can also become home for the marten, as they are very comfortable there. The animal has no permanent place of residence., as it constantly migrates through specific areas it has specifically marked (a special secret). The stone marten may reside in these areas annually, feeding and hunting there.
The marten lives mostly alone, only in the summer season, it searches for a partner for reproduction.
The animal's hunting season is night, so it's mostly awake at night. It loves the darkness and feels like the king of the forest at this time. It hunts both on the ground and in the trees, strangling its prey.
Marten hunting
Almost all species of mustelids have luxurious, beautiful fur, so people hunt them. Marten hunting is now prohibited in certain areas, as their numbers are declining. People have begun to think about how to offset this decline. They raise and fatten martens for commercial purposes, ultimately producing luxurious fur coats for noblewomen. A marten coat is extremely warm and can be worn for up to five seasons.
As mentioned above, martens are known to live about three years in the wild, but there are exceptions, with lives up to 10 years. This figure is extremely short compared to their lifespan in captivity. After all, a farmed marten, with proper care, nutrition, and amenities, can live up to 20 years. This figure is staggering, but people don't have to keep martens and spend that much money on them, as they use them for other purposes, not for their long lifespan.
The marten is a very cute animal, despite being a predator. Its beautiful, neat face, long, fluffy fur, five-toed paws, and long, luxurious tail give it a well-groomed appearance. After all, this little animal is... native forest dwellerThe animal that graces the landscape is part of the food chain. People often don't think about this. They mercilessly and cruelly kill them, thinking only of profit. This attitude can lead to serious problems, including the extinction of some species of the mustelid family.
