Kunets animal. What does a forest animal look like - a stone marten? Nutrition and reproduction
Titles: yellowthroat, European pine marten.
Area: Palearctic distribution - the geographic range extends from Western Siberia across Russia and Europe to Scotland and Ireland, and from the northern limit of tall coniferous forests (in the north) to the Mediterranean and Caucasus (in the south).
It is also found on many Mediterranean islands, including Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia and the Balearic Islands (Mallorca and Minorca).
Description: The body of the pine marten is long, slender and flexible, covered with long fluffy fur.
The muzzle is small, elongated, triangular in shape, the jaws are strong. The ears are large, triangular, rounded at the top. Each paw has five toes with strong, curved, semi-retractable claws. The soles become overgrown with fur in winter. The tail is long, reaching half of the body.
Males are 12-30% larger than females. The female has two pairs of mammary glands. The teeth are sharp.
The marten's summer fur is dull and consists of short hair and sparse undercoat. Molting in adolescents and adults begins in the spring, winter fur begins to grow in August-September.
Color: There is a bright teardrop-shaped light yellow spot on the throat and lower neck. Winter fur is from light brownish-yellow to dark brown. The color of the sides is lighter than the back and belly. The undercoat is light gray with a brownish or yellowish tint. The tip of the tail and paws are dark. The head is the same shade as the body. The edges of the ears have a light outline.
Size: body length 33-56 cm, tail 17-28 cm, height at withers 15 cm.
Weight: 0.5-2.4 kg.
Lifespan: in nature 3-4 (maximum 11 years), in captivity 10-18 years.
Puppies, while in their mother's nest, communicate with her by chirping.Habitat: The marten is closely associated with the forest, prefers dense spruce, fir, oak, deciduous, mixed and tall mature forests, littered with dead wood and with hollow trees. It comes out into open areas only when hunting. Avoids rocky areas and stone placers.
Enemies: red fox, wolves, goshawk, golden eagle, eagle owl, lynx.
It escapes from predators (except birds) in trees. Often large predators destroy pine martens not for food, but to eliminate a potential food competitor.
Food: omnivorous, the diet depends on the season and the abundance of food - small rodents (arable voles, mice, red squirrels, dormice, hares, pikas), birds and their eggs (hazel grouse, black grouse, wood grouse, partridges, nuthatches, woodpeckers, tits) , fish, insects and their larvae (larvae of wild bees and their honey, caterpillars), amphibians (frogs and their eggs), reptiles, hedgehogs and shrews, snails, berries and fruits (blueberries, raspberries, pears, apples, rowan berries, cherries, cherries, rose hips, nuts) and carrion.
In summer, the share of berries and fruits can reach up to 30% of the total diet.
The pine marten prepares part of its food for the winter, hiding it in tree hollows.
It kills prey with a bite to the back of the head.
Behavior: active nocturnal predator (53-59% of the time the marten is active in the dark and 14-19% during the day), foraging for food on the ground and trees. During the day it sleeps in a den, which it makes in tree hollows (at a height of 2-5 m), empty squirrel or bird nests, in crevices among stones, and windbreaks. During the night (in search of food) it can travel 10 km from the den. In severe frosts, it remains in the nest, feeding on reserves.
It does not have permanent nests, but wanders around individual areas in search of prey. Lives in one area for many years in a row, only occasionally wandering after squirrels.
The pine marten is curious and playful. The sense of smell, vision and hearing are well developed. It runs in jumps, which is why it leaves paired paw prints (the hind paws are placed on the front paw prints). It climbs well (on tree trunks and branches) and jumps (from branch to branch at distances of up to 4 m, from great heights onto snow). Can move along treetops. When climbing, it can twist its feet 180". Swims reluctantly and in extreme cases.
Males and females have two pairs of special scent glands (prianal and abdominal).
Social structure: The pine marten leads a solitary lifestyle; pairs form only during the breeding season. The animals mark the boundaries of their territory with secretions from odorous glands and urine.
Outside the breeding season, the meeting of two males usually occurs without conflict.
The home range of a male (10-25 km2) often intersects with the home ranges of several females (5-15 km2).
Reproduction: from June to July, the female has several heats, which last 1-4 days, the interval between them is 6-17 days. Mating lasts 30-50 minutes.
The female gives birth to cubs once a year. For childbirth, the female chooses a hollow in an old tree. In case of danger, she moves the cubs to another place or can eat the entire litter.
During the period of feeding their cubs, females hunt both at night and during the day.
Breeding season/period: June-July. The false rut is observed in February-March.
Puberty: females and males mature at 14 months. age, but usually have offspring at 2-3 years.
Pregnancy: pregnancy with a latent stage of development is 236-275 days, the pregnancy itself accounts for 27-28 days.
Offspring: the female gives birth to 2-7 blind, deaf and toothless puppies, weighing about 30 grams, 10 cm long. Newborns are already covered with sparse short fur. The eyes open at 34-38 days of life.
Lactation lasts 6-8 weeks, by the end of this age the puppies weigh 68 grams. Young martens switch to solid food at 36-45 days of age, when their teeth erupt.
They begin to leave the nest at 1.5 months. Puppies try to actively climb and jump at 2-2.5 months of age.
The young stay with their mother for another month, and then they leave the nest in search of their own site. Some of the cubs remain with their mother in the den until next spring.
Population/Conservation Status: Currently there are about 200,000 individuals.
The pine marten can interbreed with the sable; such sterile hybrids are called kindus.
Nine subspecies of pine marten are recognized: Martes martes martes(large sizes), Martes m. borealis, M. m. latinorum, Caucasian pine marten ( M. m. lorenzi), Menorquin marten ( M. m. minoricensis), M. m. notialis, Central Russian pine marten ( M. m. ruthena), Pechora pine marten ( M. m. sabaneevi), Ural pine marten ( M. m. uralensis).
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The stone marten is a predatory animal, despite the fact that it is very pretty. And it is called stone because it lives mainly in rocky areas. The animal is not as dangerous for people as for the animals themselves living in the forest.
The marten is generally the most common animal among all mammals. The furry forest dweller is a dangerous enemy for many representatives of the animal world, and often poses a threat to people.
General description of the stone marten
Many people are interested in what a stone marten looks like. An adult forest animal can reach quite considerable sizes, up to 60 cm in length, and in weight up to 2 and a half kg. The length of the tail can reach 30 cm. Nevertheless, the stone marten is very beautiful and luxurious in appearance. The animal's fur is fluffy, shimmers in the sun and has a brownish tint. The color can also be light beige, reddish, yellowish-brown.
The stone marten has a slender, long body, with a luxurious tail. The muzzle is slightly elongated, while the animal has a powerful jaw. There are triangular ears on the top of the head.
Nutrition
The stone marten feeds not only on raw meat, but also eggs, insects and their larvae. The diet may also include wild berries, frogs and fish. The forest animal loves honey, so it occasionally visits the beehive. Based on the above facts, we can conclude that the animal is absolutely not picky about food, and feeds on everything it finds, be it a fat caterpillar or a delicious juicy strawberry, or maybe a hare.
The following berries are most suitable for the proper development of the animal:
- raspberry;
- cherries;
- cherry;
- strawberries;
- blueberry.
Fruits include pears and all varieties of apples. Undoubtedly, the animal loves nuts, because they contain all the necessary proteins and vegetable fats, which help to develop properly and not lag behind in development.
The main delicacy There are small rodents in the forest:
- mice;
- red squirrels;
- shrews;
- hares.
Also, the animal does not disdain small birds:
- partridges;
- woodpeckers;
- tits.
These animals are not stupid and know what to do so as not to die of hunger in winter. They prepare all the necessary materials for living in the harsh snowy season, as well as certain food. This is very important, because besides the cold, there is almost nothing to eat in winter; everyone hides under layers of snow and leaves. Animals love stock different varieties of berries, nuts, eggs. As a rule, all this is found in trees. And if someone else finds this preparation, it is almost impossible for the marten to survive the winter without food. Only occasionally do hares and rodents run by, but this is not at all enough.
Habitat of the stone marten
The animal mainly lives in mature oak and spruce forests. Only here she feels cozy, spacious and most comfortable. But besides forests there are exceptions; the animal can be in fields and meadows. Rocky landscapes are not his thing; the animal cannot stand it.
Reproduction and care of young animals
capable of reproducing after a year of life. Preferably in the summer, the animal tries to find a forest partner. Oddly enough, the female's pregnancy lasts about 28 days. One healthy female can give birth to up to 4 small animals. The cubs are born blind, completely without hair. They are able to open their eyes only after 30 days.
The average life of a marten lasts about 3-4 years, but it is extremely rare for an animal to live 10 years.
Since the marten is a mammal, it is natural that it feeds its young with milk. Feeding period is approximately 40 days, then, after their teeth come out, the animals eat solid food and live with their mother for the whole season.
The main enemies of the stone marten
Although the marten itself is a very dangerous predator, it still has a large number of enemies. In first place, the ferocious wolf. This is the main predator and owner of the forest. Next come foxes, eagle owls and strict hawks. Undoubtedly, all those animals that are much larger than the marten are the main enemies and competitors for food. Therefore, a forest animal does not always calmly walk around the forest; it carefully looks through all the mysterious corners before resting and falling asleep in one place or another.
Lifestyle of the animal
The animal loves the hollows of dry trees, the height of which ranges from 2 to 5 meters. Also, bird nests and gorges between stones can become a home for the marten, because it is very comfortable there. The animal does not have a permanent place of residence, since it constantly wanders through certain territories, especially marked by it (a special secret). The stone marten can live in these places every year, feeding and hunting there.
The marten mainly lives alone, only in the summer season does it look for a partner for breeding.
The animal's hunting time is night, so the animal is awake mainly in the dark. The animal loves the darkness, and at this time feels like the king of the forest. It hunts both on the ground and in trees, suffocating its prey.
Marten hunting
Almost all species of mustelids have luxurious beautiful fur, that's why people hunt them. Nowadays, hunting for martens is prohibited in certain areas, as there are fewer and fewer of them left. People began to wonder how to compensate for this. They raise and fatten martens for industrial purposes, and in the end they produce luxurious fur coats for noble ladies. After all, a marten fur coat is very warm and you can wear it for up to 5 seasons.
As mentioned above, it is known that martens live for about 3 years in freedom, but there are exceptions up to 10 years. This figure is extremely small compared to life in captivity. After all, life on a farm, with proper care, nutrition and amenities, can reach 20 years. This figure is staggering, but people do not have to keep and spend so much on martens, because they use them for other purposes, and not for long life.
The marten is a very cute animal, albeit a predatory one. A beautiful neat muzzle, long fluffy fur, five-toed paws and a long luxurious tail give the animal a well-groomed appearance. After all, this animal is native forest dweller, which decorates it with its appearance, participates in the food chain. People often don't think about this. They mercilessly and cruelly shoot them down, thinking only about profit. This attitude can lead to serious problems, including the extinction of some species of animals of the mustelid family.
The marten is a graceful, nimble animal the size of a domestic cat. Since ancient times, people have hunted for their noble fur, which was called “soft gold”. It is not surprising that smart animals try to avoid meeting people. Where does the marten live - in a hollow or a hole? In which countries can we see this graceful animal?
Description
Martens are predators with an elongated, slender body, a sharp muzzle and short legs. They have thick fur, colored in various shades of brown. The tail is fluffy and long. A characteristic feature is the developed motor skills of the front legs, which can be compared with the fine motor skills of a three-year-old baby.
Martens feed on small rodents, reptiles, birds, and destroy nests in search of eggs. In summer they feast on berries and nuts. In the wild they live for 10 years, in captivity this period can increase to 16-20 years. You can meet the dexterous animal in the forests of Eurasia and North America. They prefer temperate climates.
Where do martens live in Russia? You can stumble upon them in the central regions of the country, in the Urals, the Caucasus, the Far East, and Western Siberia. There are several types of martens.
Pine marten
These are animals with brown or light chestnut fur; they have a yellowish spot on their chest. Because of this they were nicknamed “yellow souls.” Body size varies from 48 to 58 centimeters, height at the withers is 15 centimeters. Weight ranges from 800 grams to 2 kilograms.
Martens live in mixed or deciduous forests. They are found in coniferous forests, but less frequently. In the mountains they can be seen at the height where trees still grow. Animals avoid open spaces. The animals excel at climbing branches and performing acrobatic jumps. They spend the night in hollows, abandoned nests, and forest windbreaks. Each hunts at night in its own area.
Where does the pine marten live? Its habitat is wide: almost all European countries, Russia up to Western Siberia, in the south - the territory from the Caucasus to the Mediterranean, in Asia - the western regions.
Stone marten
This animal has coarse gray-brown fur and a white patch on its neck. Another name for it is “white lady”. The stone marten is smaller than the forest marten, its body length is from 40 to 55 centimeters. The animal's legs are shorter, its muzzle is sharper, and its tail is longer. Habits are similar to those of squirrels. Animals are very curious and easily make contact.
The stone marten lives in open areas, in mountain ranges, and also near human habitation. Animals make shelters in old buildings, quarries, rock crevices, among piles of boulders, in attics and sheds. They are capable of causing significant harm by hunting domestic animals and chewing through hoses and wiring.
Where do martens live? This species inhabits most of Eurasia. Animals can be found in England and Syria, in the Himalayas and sunny Italy (with the exception of Sardinia), in Palestine and Afghanistan. In Russia, stone martens can be found in the Caucasus and Crimea, in snowy Siberia and in the central territory. For hunting purposes, the species was brought to America and lives there in the state of Wisconsin.
American marten
This is a rare species that was almost exterminated. Currently, the number of individuals is gradually recovering. Outwardly, the American marten is similar to the forest marten, but the color of its fur is more varied: here you can find light and dark shades of brown, red and reddish tones. The tail and paws are close to black. The neck, muzzle and belly are lighter. Body length ranges from 32-45 centimeters, weight - from 500 grams to 1.3 kilograms.
The American marten is nocturnal. Preference is given to old coniferous forests. Downed trees are a great place for a secluded shelter. Some individuals live sedentary in a certain territory. Martens fiercely defend their territory from relatives of the same sex. Young animals sometimes wander in search of a better area or female.
Where do martens of this species live? Large populations are found in Alaska and also in Canada. In the south, the settlement range extends to the states of California and Colorado in the USA.
Kharza
This large predator bears little resemblance to other species of martens. The coloring is bright: a black head with a white chin and reddish cheeks, a bright yellow chest, golden fur on the back, dark brown paws and tail. The coat is short and shiny. The size of the animal ranges from 55 to 80 centimeters, the weight sometimes reaches 6 kilograms.
Kharza settles in deep forests, away from people. Only females who feed their babies live sedentary. The remaining individuals move freely in search of prey, resting in hollows, crevices, and windbreaks. In addition to small rodents, the harza attacks young deer, wild boars, roe deer and moose. Favorite prey is musk deer. During hunting, animals can unite in groups, which is unusual for other representatives of the species. Another feature of them is their love for honey.
Where do martens live? Kharza inhabits the countries of Asia and the East: China, Korea, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkey, Nepal, Iran, Georgia, etc. Animals are found in the foothills of the Himalayas, in the taiga and humid tropics, on the ocean coast and in swampy areas. On the territory of Russia, the animals are found in Primorye and the Amur region; they were also brought to Crimea, Adygea and Dagestan.
Nilgiri Kharza
This exotic marten is colored in shades of dark brown, while the neck and chest are a striking orange color. The size of an adult animal can range from 55 to 70 centimeters. The weight is significantly less than that of a regular harza - from two to 2.5 kilograms.
Where does the marten live and what does it eat? The Nilgiri harsa is the only and endangered member of the mustelid family in South India. This species is still poorly studied. The lifestyle is presumably diurnal. Individuals are found in tropical forests at higher elevations. Animals avoid people. Nests are built in trees, close to water. But the animals hunt on the ground. They feed on small birds, rodents, lizards and monitor lizards, cicadas, and Asian deer.
Ilka
This is a large species of marten, similar to a weasel. Body length varies from 75 to 120 centimeters, weight from 2 to 5 kilograms. The coat is long, coarse, dark brown, the head and shoulders are lighter, with a silvery tint.
Ilka lives in the lowland forests of North America. She climbs trees well and swims, but prefers to move on the ground. Where does the marten live in the forest? Animals make shelters in hollows, stumps, and under fallen trunks. They dig holes for the winter.
Ilka is a carnivorous predator. Tree porcupines are a special delicacy for her, although in battles with the latter the animals do not always emerge victorious. They also feed on carrion and can snack on berries, moss, ferns, and nuts. They are nocturnal and hunt in their own areas.
Sable
This strong animal leads a terrestrial lifestyle, climbing trees only in case of danger. The color of sables is varied and very beautiful: from fawn, light brown to almost black. Agile animals settle in the taiga. Dwellings are made in hollows or under tree roots. They feed on plant foods, small rodents, large birds, fish, and attack hares, stoats, and musk deer.
Where do martens of this species live? Sables are the original inhabitants of the Russian taiga. They are found from the Urals to the Pacific Ocean. There are also Japanese sables that inhabit the islands of Tsushima, Shikoku, Kyushu and Honshu. In order to obtain beautiful fur, animals were also brought to the islands of Sado and Hokkaido. Japanese sable can be tan or dark in color with a characteristic light patch on the back of the head.
Martens are a large family that lives in Europe, Asia, and North America. Currently, they can be found in most deep forests of Russia. However, some species are endangered and require special protection.
Many types of martens
Martens (from the Latin Martes) are a genus of predatory mammals from the mustelid family (Mustelidae). Depending on the range, many species and subspecies are distinguished, including the family of marsupial martens. In Russia there are harza, stone and pine martens, and sable. For fur, two main varieties of this animal are used - pine and stone marten. Martens live in Europe, the European part of Russia, Western Siberia, China, Mongolia, and Western Asia.
Types of martens:
American marten (Martes americana)
Ilka (Martes pennanti), or pecan
Stone marten (Martes foina)
Pine marten (Martes martes)
Nilgiri harza (Martes gwatkinsii)
Sable (Martes zibellina)
Harza (Martes flavigula)
Japanese marten (Martes melampus)
American marten - rare
American marten(lat. Martes americana) is a rare species of the mustelid family. Outwardly similar to a pine marten, it differs only in its large feet and light-colored face. The habitat of the American marten is Alaska, Canada, North America. The habitat of the American marten is old coniferous and mixed forests.
The American marten has a long, slender body, with soft, dense and shiny fur, ranging in color from pale yellow to reddish-dark brown. The animal's neck is pale yellow, and its tail and legs are dark brown. On the muzzle there are two black lines running vertically from the eyes. The fluffy long tail makes up one third of the animal’s total length. The marten has semi-extended claws that make climbing trees easier, as well as relatively large feet suitable for snowier areas.
Hunting and deforestation have led to habitat loss and, consequently, a decline in population numbers. Currently, the American marten has begun to self-restore the number of individuals and there is no threat of extinction of the species. Many American martens are killed in rabbit traps. The American marten is an enemy of game animals - squirrels and rabbits. Martens are hunted for their valuable fur. Previously, they paid $100 for one skin, but now the price is $12-$20 per skin.
Ilka is the largest species of mustelids
North American pine marten fisher(Martes pennanti) is also known as fisher (English), pecan (French), ilka (Russian), American and Virginia polecat. The marten got its name “fisher” from the English language - “fisher”, which is consonant with the French “fichet” - ferret.
Ilka lives in coniferous forests of North America, from the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California to the Appalachians in West Virginia. Prefers taiga forests with an abundance of hollow trees. In winter, it often settles in burrows, sometimes digging them in the snow. Ilkas are flexible and fast, nimbly climb trees, and are excellent climbers, but usually move on the ground.
A graceful carnivorous predator from the large family of mustelids. Despite the fact that it is called a fishing marten, it eats fish reluctantly and very rarely. Ilka is the largest representative of the weasel family, body length with tail is 75-120 cm. In appearance, Ilka resembles a weasel - a long body with short legs, on which there are five fingers, with retractable claws, a flat and triangular head, round small ears on the top of the head, a long , thick and fluffy tail.
The animal has a dark brown color, the fur on the head, neck and shoulders has a silvery tint, the paws and tail are darker or black. A distinctive feature of the Ilka is a white or creamy white patch of fur in the genital area. The coat is long, thick and coarse. The fur on the back is up to 3 cm, on the chest up to 7 cm long.
Ilka is an exceptional carnivore, one of the few animals that preys on the porcupine. It also feeds on other prey - mice, chipmunks, squirrels, hares. Ilka has few enemies, mostly people. Ilka is the subject of hunting because of its beautiful dark brown “fur coat” with a silvery tint.
Furriers value the unique Ilka fur: hard, motley, low pile on the neck from the cross to the rump becomes dark, high with the texture of a marten. No other fur has such an effect. In large skins the pile is quite coarse. A variety of products are sewn from Ilka fur - fur coats, short fur coats, vests, and collars are trimmed. Due to the high cost of fur, it is very rare to find a product made from ilka, mainly only on catwalks and in the collections of famous designers. This is due to the extraction of ilka fur, which lives only in North America.
Stone mountain marten
Stone marten, or white marten or mountain marten (from the Latin Martes foina) is a predatory mammal from the mustelid family (Mustelidae). The stone marten inhabits most of Eurasia. Its distribution area stretches from the Iberian Peninsula to Mongolia and the Himalayas. It is the most common marten in Europe and the only species of marten that is not afraid to live near human settlements. The stone marten prefers the ruins of old dwellings and the rocky foundations of farm buildings; it can settle in open spaces, in steppes, forest-steppes and semi-deserts, in mountainous areas.
The stone marten has a large head and a slightly pointed muzzle. The body is flexible, long and slender. The paws are short with five toes on each paw and the claws are retractable. The feet on the paws are bare. The tail is long, covered with coarse hair, the ears are large, triangular in shape. The stone marten has coarse fur. The main color of the stone marten is gray-brown. On the throat there is a white forked throat patch, shaped like a horseshoe, which can reach the front legs. The marten's fur is given its unique personality by its winter color, a brownish-smoky color with a slight fawn tint. In summer and autumn, marten fur is much darker, shorter and less fluffy.
They use winter and spring stone marten skins, when the fur has brighter, clearer outlines, and longer hair, compared to summer and autumn. Stone marten fur is used in its natural form and is very rarely dyed. Fur coats and sheepskin coats were made from stone marten fur, and collars, cuffs and hats were trimmed.
Forest noble marten
Pine marten, or yellowfish, or soft (from the Latin Martes martes) is a species of mammals from the mustelid family (Mustelidae). Sometimes called the “noble marten” because of the quality and properties of the fur. It lives in Europe and western parts of Asia. The range extends from the British Isles to Western Siberia and in the south from the Mediterranean to the Caucasus and Alborz. The pine marten (baum marten) lives in trees, coniferous and mixed forests. Hunts birds, rodents (squirrels), feeds on bird eggs.
The head of the pine marten is small, with a pointed muzzle, ears with rounded tops. The claws are very sharp and curved, which is associated with a predominantly arboreal lifestyle. The body of the pine marten is oblong with relatively short legs and hair on the feet. The tail is relatively long and bushy, its function is to maintain balance when climbing and jumping. On the head there are triangular ears bordered with a yellow stripe, and the nose is dark. Body length ranges from 45 to 58 cm, tail length from 16 to 28 cm, and weight from 0.8 to 1.8 kg. Males are on average 30% heavier than females.
The pine marten has lush, thick, soft and slightly coarse hair, a pronounced spot on the neck and a long tail. In relation to the sparse awn, the thick underfur gives the skin a somewhat felt-like appearance. Winter fur is long, soft and silky. In summer, the pine marten's fur becomes shorter and stiffer. The fur of the pine marten is chestnut or dark brown, reddish-chestnut with a grayish-fawn admixture. The back, head and abdomen are colored the same. The paws and the end of the tail are darker, the ears have a light outline along the edge, and on the throat and lower surface of the neck there is a large yellowish-cream rounded throat spot.
Individuals of pine martens caught in different areas of the vast territory of Russia have a number of distinctive features. In this regard, all skins are divided into several varieties of martens: Kuban, central, western, northern, Murmansk, Ural.
In addition to varieties, pine marten skins are divided into four color categories:
Dark blue. The fur is dark chestnut in color without red tints. The down is blue-gray at the base and light gray at the top.
Blue. The fur is chestnut color. The fluff is gray.
Dark sand. The fur is brown or dark sand, there is a reddish tint, especially on the sides of the skin. The down is gray at the base and light sandy at the ends.
Sand. The fur is light brown with a light yellow tint. The down is gray at the base, yellowish at the tops.
Skins with dark blue fur are considered the most valuable. Pine marten skins are usually specially dyed. In this case, the color scheme used is similar to that of sable products. Used to make clothing and hats. Products made from this material are very pleasant to the touch; the fibers literally flow under your hand.
Nilgiri harza - a rare predator
Nilgiri Kharza(lat. Martes gwatkinsii) is a predatory mammal of the mustelidae family (Mustelidae). One of the largest and brightly colored representatives of the genus of martens, together with the marten (Martes flavigula). The only species of marten found in South India. Lives in the Nilgiri hills and Western Ghats.
The habitat of the Nilgiri marten is deciduous, montane evergreen (coffee, cardamom, acacia plantations) and tropical rainforests. It lives at elevations from 600 to 1400 m above sea level. Avoids open places.
It is almost impossible to confuse the Nilgiri Kharza with other representatives of the genus. Being dark brown on top and with yellow-orange coloring on the chest and neck, it is one of the most colorful members of the marten family.
The Nilgiri marten is a carnivorous predator that preys on small birds, rodents (Indian squirrels, white-footed mice), insects (cycads), reptiles (lizards, Bengal monitor lizards) and small mammals (Asian deer).
The Nilgiri marten is a very rare animal. The species is listed in the International Red Book and in the CITES Convention (Appendix III). Population numbers continue to decline due to habitat loss. Avoids human presence.
Kharza - exotic motley marten
Kharza, or yellow-breasted marten, or Ussuri marten(Martes flavigula) is a predatory mammal of the mustelidae family. The largest, very unique in body structure and brightly colored representative of the marten genus, sometimes classified as a separate genus.
In the fauna of the Amur-Ussuri region of Russia, the harza comes from the countries of Southeast Asia, since the main part of its range covers the Greater Sunda Islands, the Malay Peninsula, Indochina, the foothills of the Himalayas, China, and the Korean Peninsula. A separate isolated habitat area is known in the south of the Hindustan Peninsula.
Kharza is a typical animal of coniferous and mixed forests. Prefers to settle on mountain slopes and river banks. In Myanmar, it lives in swamps, and in Pakistan - in deserted, treeless mountains. It stays mainly on the ground, although it climbs trees very well. It runs very fast, and when jumping from tree to tree, it makes leaps of up to 4 meters.
Body length 55-80 cm, tail 35-44 cm, weight up to 5.7 kg. On a long neck sits a small head with a pointed muzzle and not very large ears. The body is elongated, muscular, very flexible, strong short legs with wide feet. The tail is slightly fluffy. The fur is rather coarse, short, and shiny. Summer fur is shorter and coarser than winter fur, darker, especially on the back. Even in winter, the Kharza's coat is relatively short, smooth, shiny, and coarse.
It is distinguished by its multi-colored, variegated color. The color of young harzas is whitish and lighter, especially on the back. The top of the head and muzzle of the harza are painted black, the lower jaw is white. The fur on the throat and chest is bright yellow, on the body it has a golden-brown tint, darkening towards the rump, and on the legs it is dark brown. The tail is dark brown.
Kharza is one of the most powerful tireless predators of the Ussuri taiga. It feeds on rodents, grasshoppers, mollusks, hares, and birds. Sometimes it attacks young ungulates - wild boar, wapiti, elk, roe deer, sika deer, goral. Often attacks raccoon dogs, weasels and sables. He eats berries and pine nuts in small quantities and enjoys honeycombs. But the most favorite prey of the harza is musk deer.
The commercial value of the harza is very small, since it is rare, and its rough skin is of little value. Harza is rare on the territory of Russia; at present it is almost not hunted. Deforestation and the expansion of agricultural areas are increasingly reducing the area suitable for life of this exotic predator, and there is less and less of it. Included in Appendix III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES). Included in the “List of objects of the animal world that require special attention to their condition in the natural environment.”
The Japanese marten is a poor relative
Japanese marten, or I Japanese sable (lat. Martes melampus) is a species of predatory mammals from the mustelidae family (Mustelidae). Japanese martens originally lived in Japan on the three main southern islands of Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Tsushima, and also in Korea. To obtain fur, they were brought to the Japanese islands of Hokkaido and Sado in 1949. Inhabits deciduous and coniferous forests and open fields. The Japanese marten rises up to 1800 m above sea level.
The fur color of the Japanese marten varies from yellow-brown to dark brown, with a white spot on the neck and back of the head. It has an elongated physique, short limbs, and a bushy tail, typical of many martens. Body length from 47 to 54 cm, tail from 17 to 23 cm.
The Japanese marten is the poor relative of the mustelidae family. The Japanese value this fur for its bright yellow color, which symbolizes light and sun for them. This fur doesn't dye well. After painting, the skin turns out to be inky-spotted and its yellow charm disappears completely. Fur is very cheap and is almost never used in industry.
Japanese martens are hunted for their fur, but some populations (in Hokkaido and Tsushima) are completely protected. The Japanese marten is hunted for its valuable fur from December 1 to January 31 everywhere within its range except on the islands of Hokkaido and Tsushima, where it is protected and protected by law. The subspecies common in Tsushima is M. m. tsuensis is considered endangered according to the WSOP. Genetic studies indicate that M. melampus split from Martes zibellina as a separate species about 1.8 million years ago.
Commercial importance of martens
Providing valuable high-quality marten fur, martens are among the important commercial fur-bearing animals. In most of their habitat, martens are few in number, so hunting them is prohibited and their catch is strictly limited. The volume of commercial harvesting of marten is very small. Lots held at auctions rarely exceed 500 skins; the bulk are sold privately through commercial hunters.
Fishermen have caught and still catch martens with traps and other self-catching traps, but game wardens have long established that the skins of animals caught in this way are almost 50% lower in quality than those caught with a dog. This is explained by the fact that the carcasses of martens killed in samolov were damaged by mouse-like rodents and birds.
In the old days, there were hunters who knew how to chase a marten walking along the treetops for many kilometers, tracking it along the tracks of snow falling from the branches. Nowadays there are almost no such craftsmen left, and marten is hunted mainly by traps.
Interestingly, in the West, marten fur is valued much higher than in our country. This is due to the lower distribution of martens in other countries. The marten is a small fur-bearing animal that cannot be bred in captivity. All attempts to increase the number of these animals by creating special fur farms were unsuccessful. Thus, all marten fur products are made from “wild” raw materials. This distinguishes this fur from other types of fur. Keeping a pine marten in captivity is a rather difficult task and therefore this species is not often seen in zoos. The largest populations are in the zoos of Hankensbüttel and Innsbruck.
Marten fur is hypoallergenic
The main advantage of the marten is its practical and high-quality fur, the cost of which, compared to other furs, is quite low and affordable. This material is warm, quite wearable and looks great. Products made from marten fur are very durable, since marten fur has a hard undercoat. The service life of marten fur is at least 7 seasons. Since ancient times, marten fur has been widely used for sewing warm clothes.
It is perfect for both long fur coats and elegant sheepskin coats or sophisticated coats. You can sew hats, collars, cuffs from marten, trim outerwear; a marten collar goes well with astrakhan fur coats.
In general, for the modern fashionista, marten fur is one of the best options, both in terms of beauty and durability, and in terms of price-quality ratio. After all, products made from marten can not only perfectly emphasize individuality, but also replace much more expensive sable. Fur coats, scarves, stoles made of marten are of excellent quality, they are warm in any weather, they are the admiring glances of people passing by, they are your confidence in your own attractiveness and irresistibility.
A distinctive feature of marten fur is its hypoallergenicity. The pile has a well-ventilated structure, as a result of which dust particles that cause allergies are not retained in it. Thanks to this, even many people prone to allergies can enjoy a fur product or marten fur trim without fear of an unwanted reaction.
Historical value of marten fur
In Rus', marten fur has long been valued by our ancestors. Marten skins were used for trade, paying tribute, exchanged for overseas goods and Arab silver, and served as an alternative to money and gold. Initially, kuns were called bundles of furs of a certain value, then a monetary unit, and then money in general. In Ancient Rus', marten skin served as a monetary unit - one kun.
Marten furs are mentioned in the famous ancient Russian poem “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign” as “the marten furs of the nobility.” Princes, boyars and other members of the nobility sported marten robes. A marten fur coat or the edge of a caftan was hardly available to a simple peasant or artisan, and not every merchant could afford it. Ancient Greek authors used a similar word of Slavic origin to name the fur clothing of the peoples living to the north of them.
Since ancient times, the marten has been followed by a whole train of signs and superstitions; it has long been considered a prescient animal. Like an ermine, it is a harbinger of joyful, bright events.
The pine marten lives over a large area of Europe and is also found in Mesopotamia and some areas of Asia Minor.
Martens live only in wooded areas. These animals can also live in the mountains, but only in those with forests.
Martens practically do not live in captivity. Due to this, they are rarely found in zoos. But the Germans managed to create conditions for the martens in the zoo that were as close as possible to their natural habitat. But in other countries, few people manage to do this.
Appearance of a marten
The body length of the marten varies from 45 to 53 centimeters. The fluffy tail is 20-25 centimeters long.
The average weight is 1.5 kilograms. Males are slightly larger than females.
The animal has triangular-shaped ears with a yellow edging. The color of the skin varies from dark brown to light brown. In winter, the fur is thicker and silkier than in summer.
The legs are short and have hair on the inside. There is a round yellowish spot on the neck.
Marten behavior and nutrition
Martens are active at dusk and at night. During the day, the animals sleep in tree hollows or in large nests of feathered predators. Martens spend a lot of time in trees, so they can easily climb trunks and jump from one branch to another. They can jump up to 4 meters.
Martens also move quickly on the ground. Each individual has its own area, the boundaries of which are marked with an odorous secretion secreted from the anal glands. If a stranger violates the borders, then conflicts arise between the animals. But the ranges of females and males can overlap. The area of the territories may vary depending on the time of year. Thus, in summer the plots are larger than in winter.
Listen to the voice of the marten
Martens have sharp teeth, thanks to which they easily cope with animal and plant food. The marten's diet consists of voles, small birds and eggs.
The animals also eat insects, reptiles and even carrion. The marten kills its prey by biting it on the back of the head. Martens eat berries, nuts and honey from plant foods. In autumn, animals store food for the winter.
Reproduction and lifespan
The gestation period for martens is 7 months. Babies are born in March-April. The female gives birth to 3-4 cubs, which weigh about 30 grams each.
4 months after birth, the offspring becomes independent, but remains with the mother until next spring. Life expectancy in the wild is 8-9 years. In captivity, if suitable living conditions are created, martens can live up to 16-18 years.
