Pine Marten

The European Pine Marten is about the size of a domestic cat, with rich brown fur and a creamy-yellow patch on its throat that varies in shape and size between individuals. It has a long, bushy tail. Its rounded ears and pointed face give it an alert, fox-like look. They are skilled climbers with claws that can partly retract, allowing them to move through trees with great ease. They are found across much of Europe, from Ireland to the Ural Mountains. In Britain, they are most common in Scotland, with numbers increasing again in Wales, northern England, and Ireland. They prefer mature woodland, especially pine and mixed forests, but can also be found in rocky areas and scrub where there are trees for shelter and nesting. Mostly active at night and living alone, they eat a variety of foods depending on what is available. Their diet includes small mammals, birds, insects, dead animals, and seasonal fruits. You can often tell they are nearby by their twisted droppings, which they leave on prominent rocks or logs.