Pine Marten
Martes martes
Cat Crainn
What is a pine marten?
Along with the badger, otter, stoat & mink, the pine marten is a member of the mustelid family, a group of short-legged, long-bodied carnivores. Its resemblance to the domestic cat led to its being named ‘cat crainn’ (tree cat) in Irish. It is chocolate-brown with a yellow bib, rounded ears and a long bushy tail. It can partly retract its claws, though not as much as a cat can.
Where do pine martens live?
Pine martens are quite rare, although their numbers are increasing, and they are doing well in areas such as the Burren in Co. Clare, south Co. Galway, and parts of Tyrone & Fermanagh. There are small numbers in the Wicklow Mountains. Pine martens need lots of cover, so are found in areas of scrub, and both deciduous woodlands and coniferous plantations.
Are pine martens native to Ireland?
It is not yet known whether pine martens are native or were introduced by humans for their fine fur. The earliest remains found so far date back to 2780 years ago. Pictures of what appear to be pine martens can be found in old Irish monastic manuscripts.
Do pine martens live in groups?
Unlike their cousin the badger, pine martens are solitary. Each adult has its own territory, with a number of dens, which it marks out using scent glands, and will usually not tolerate other members of the same sex. Males have territories of 50-80 hectares, while females tend to have smaller territories of 14-25 hectares.
How big is a pine marten?
Much bigger than a stoat, but smaller than an otter, with a long agile frame, a male pine marten is on average 65cm in length (nose to tail) and weighs 1.5-1.9 kg. Females are slightly smaller.
When are the babies born?
The young, or kits, are born in a den in late March or April, in litters of one to five. They are born blind and helpless, and stay in the den for 6-8 weeks. By September, the kits are almost fully grown, and leave to set up their own territories.
What do pine martens eat?
Pine martens are hunters or predators, taking rodents, birds, frogs, rabbits, and occasionally fish on the coast. They are good climbers, but hunt mainly on the ground. They will also feed on a wide variety of other food; berries, nuts, mushrooms and insects, as well as carrion (roadkill and dead animals) and even domestic fowl. They are known to catch squirrels in other countries, but have not been observed doing so in Ireland.
Do pine martens hibernate?
Pine martens do not hibernate, but find what food they can to survive over winter.
Do pine martens have any predators?
Although no animals hunt pine martens to eat, their fur, known as sable, was highly valued in the past, and many animals were trapped for their skins. Pine martens will also take meat poisoned with strychnine that was left out for foxes, which has led to their decline in many areas. Strychnine is now banned, and pine marten numbers are increasing.
How long do pine martens live for?
Pine martens live for about 5 or 6 years in the wild, and have been recorded at 10 years in captivity.
Do pine martens make noises?
Pine martens are not usually very vocal, but do make huffing, growling and squeaking sounds when fighting.
Can pine martens climb?
The pine marten is a very agile climber, using its sharp claws to hold onto tree bark, and its long bushy tail for balance.
Where can I see pine martens?
Although pine martens are elusive and like to live in cover, once they become used to a place and a routine they can be watched easily enough. They may be seen near sheds in rural areas, where they hunt rodents, and are sometimes seen crossing forestry roads. Keep an eye out for their droppings, which don’t have a strong smell and often contain berries.
Are pine martens protected?
Yes, pine martens are now totally protected under the Wildlife Act.