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Lonely living habits and nocturnal activities: out on open ground a pine marten can only be seen when hunting its prey, or quickly crossing a forest road. Habitats are old scrubby conifer forests and mixed forests where this predator moves on the ground as well as in the trees. The night is spent in a tree hollow or some other out of sight place, asleep.

 

Its fur is brown-coloured, body underparts are paler, the legs darker. At the throat and neck it has a yellowish to orange-coloured patch reaching to the forepaws.

 

Some females have already given birth, but the gestation of the pine marten is somewhat particular. The heat period is around Midsummer; the birth of the young takes place about 8-10 months later, but the development of the embryo actually occurs during a little less than a month. At birth the young are naked and blind, their eyes open at one month of age. They suck for two months; this gives some idea of the female’s year. In autumn the young martens start their independant life.

 

Food is smaller mammals, also squirrels; martens rob bird nests, and slay rabbits when possible. On the menu are also insects: this winter martens caused grief to beekeepers by getting at the honey. Even berries are eaten when famished. Dead animals are appreciated too.