Mammals at the Cofrin Center for Biodiversity

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Life History

Marten are rather solitary creatures except during the mating season. Mating pairs are temporary and the males may have several mates at the same time. Mating occurs in July and August. Fertilization is followed by a period of delayed implantation, during which the fertilized eggs do not develop. After six months the eggs become active and embryos begin to develop, growing rapidly for 2 to 3 months. The litter, averaging three young, is born in April or early May (Drew, 1995). Young weigh about 1 ounce (28 g) at birth and are covered with fine, yellowish hair. The young marten's eyes do not open until they are 5 to 7 weeks of age. By early fall the young martens can forage for themselves. Young normally mate for the first time when they are 2 years old and bear young in their third year. Some females may breed at 15 months.

marten watching from a fallen log. Home ranges of the marten vary in size in response to population levels and food availability. Males typically travel greater distances than females. One square mile may be sufficient when food is abundant; 15 square miles may be required when food is scarce. Home ranges are exclusive within sexes except during the breeding period. While hunting for food, marten follow the fringes of spruce thickets along streams or the edges of bog meadows. Movement patterns during these forays are erratic and seemingly aimless. When crossing open swamps, lakes, or bogs, the marten uses every tree for cover, perhaps for protection from large carnivores and birds of prey (Drew, 1995).

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