The American marten, Martes americana is also referred to as the American pine marten and American or Hudson Bay sable. Its length runs up to 25 inches including an 8-inch tail. This nocturnal and agile predator spends most of its time in trees. It leaps agilely from branch to branch after its favorite food the red squirrel. It also forages on the ground and enjoys berries and nuts. The body of the marten is brown, with a lighter almost tan face. Their throat patch varies in color between yellow to orange. Most of Canada and Alaska are home to this small predator, which is also valued for its fur.
Another member of this group of martens is the pine marten or Martes martes, from Central and Northern Europe. His coat is usually a chestnut to dark brown with a creamy-white chest.
The stone, beech, or house marten Martes foina ranges from Southern and Central Europe to Denmark and central Asia. This marten prefers coniferous and deciduous woodlands to live in. The stone marten's colors run from pale grayish brown to dark brown. The prominent white or pale yellow neck patch extends to his forelegs and underside. He primarily likes to hunt in trees.
The yellow-throated martens, Martes flavigula of Southeast Asia and the Martes gwatkinsi (Nilgiri marten) from the Nilgiri Mountains of South India are patterned in shades of brown, yellow, and orange.
Rounding out the marten family is the sable or Martes zibellina. Coloring is generally a pale gray brown to dark black brown. He possesses a short tail. This marten has a long, supple, body and lives in forests, preferably near streams. He is also considered a most valuable furbearer. His range includes Northern Asia and Northern Japanese islands.
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