the.com/marten
a forest assassin so cute you forgive the murder spree.
means A small, agile, tree-climbing carnivore of the weasel family, prized for its soft fur and known for hunting birds, squirrels, and small mammals.
from From Old French 'martre,' which came from a Germanic source (related to Old English 'mearþ' and German 'Marder'). The fur was so valued in medieval trade that the animal's name shadowed the pelt — the word 'marten' often meant the coat as much as the creature wearing it.
- car crime
- Chews engine wires, costing Europe millions yearly
- squirrel nightmare
- Chases prey through treetops at full sprint
- sweet tooth
- Pine marten loves berries and fruit too
- once iconic
- A marten halted a particle collider by chewing cables
- thumb war
- Semi-retractable claws make them expert climbers
pine marten — mustelid native to europe and asia, weighs 1-2 kg with distinctive golden chest patch
american marten — found in north american forests from canada to california, smaller than pine marten at 0.3-0.5 kg
beech marten — central and southern european species, often confused with pine marten but prefers lower elevations and warmer climates