![]() ![]() By 6 months old they are ready to strike it out on their own but some remain in their parents territory till the spring. ![]() They stop drinking milk from their mother at six weeks old. Between their 36 and 45th day on earth the kits will take their first bites of solid food. They get their first view of the world during their 34th-38th day of life. At birth kits are blind, deaf and helpless. Only four can suckle at a time due to the mum only having four teats. During this period they are only receptive to mating for a period for 1-4 days up to four times over this period.įollowing implantation it takes 30 to 35 days gestation for the young to develop and be born.Īn average three kits are born in each litter though up to 5 is possible. This species experiences delayed implantation where the fertilized egg does not begin to develop for about seven months meaning this occurs from February to March. They will make a den in hollow trees or fallen root masses most often with shrub covered cliffs also used on occasion.īreeding takes place between July and August. The size of their territory is decided by the amount of available food in these areas. Their territory is marked by depositing their feces around the perimeter. They will also venture in to the grasslands adjacent to these areas. Well suited to a life amongst the trees European pine martens mostly live in forests. In the United Kingdom they are mostly restricted to Scotland with some small populations present in England. Berries become a large part of their diet throughout autumn.Įuropean pine martens inhabit a large area across most of mainland Europe and into the West of Asia including Russia. The majority of their diet consists of small mammals and birds which is supplemented with fruits, insects, carrion, eggs and fungi. They weigh between 0.9 and 2kg (2-4.5lbs) on average. Males are often 10-30% larger than females. Due to a large geographical range they can vary greatly in size. On the belly the fur has a greyish tint.Īn average European pine marten measures between 45 and 58cm (17 to 22in) with the tail adding between 16 and 28cm (6.3 and 11cm) to their length. Under the throat is a “bib” of white to creamy orange fur. Over winter the pads of their feet will also be covered in fur. This is thick over winter and thins out over the summer. The European pine marten is covered with a coat of dark brown fur. ![]()
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