American Marten

Martes americana

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
AMAJF01010
Common Name: 
American Marten
Scientific Name: 
Martes americana
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Carnivora
Family: 
Mustelidae
References: 
R169
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

2 years
References: 
B051

Longevity

Captive up to 15 years, wild aged at up to 14.5 years.
References: 
B113

Economic/Human Considerations

Important fur bearer
References: 
B001
Habitat
Climax coniferous forest (Douglas fir, cedar, hemlock forests, black spruce, white cedar swamps) (avoids burns).
References: 
B113
R044
Distribution

Ecozones

Southern Arctic, Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Cordillera, Boreal Plains
References: 
B113

Distribution

72% of the NWT.
Score: 
G = 2
References: 
B113

Area of Occupancy

Same distribution as historic range.
Score: 
-
References: 
P045
Population

Population Size

Total is probably 40,000 – 400,000 based on density ranging from 0.05 to 0.5 animal per km.sq (RSC10). Annual harvest data:1980s = 25 to 30,000 (R120, H116); harvest of 11,000 in 2007/08.
Score: 
FG =
References: 
H116
R120
RSC10

Density

~0.5 per sq. km (smaller densities further North)
Trends

Trends

Fluctuate in a delayed cycle with their prey (small mammals and hares).
References: 
P045
Threats

Threats

Potential localized over-trapping (especially during cyclical lows), increased pelt value.
Score: 
C = M
References: 
H116
R044

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Clear-cutting
Score: 
-
References: 
H116
R044
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
S Rank: 
S5
Decision Process Description: 
Reviewed in 2004 - no change in status. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 15, 2024

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Powell RA (1982) The Fisher: Life History, Ecology, and Behavior. University of Minnesota Press RWED Library Call #QL737.C25P6 - B051 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • NWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (1995) NWT Wildlife Sketches: Marten of the Northwest Territories. NWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development 1st Edition Personal Files - P045 Return

Economic Status

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Ecozones

  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return

Habitat

  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return
  • Flynn RW and Schumacher T (1996) Ecology of martens in southeast Alaska. Alaska Department of Fish and Game Grant W-24-4, Study 7.16 RWED Library Call #QL737.C25F59 - R044 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return
  • Flynn RW and Schumacher T (1996) Ecology of martens in southeast Alaska. Alaska Department of Fish and Game Grant W-24-4, Study 7.16 RWED Library Call #QL737.C25F59 - R044 Return

Longevity

  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Population Size

Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return
,
Corporate Services, NWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (1999) Game Licencing System: Individual Trapping Summary. summary in excel file generated by Guy Erasmus (S:\Guy\Furstats by species 1957 - 1997) - R120 Return
,
RWED biologists (2004) Forest Criteria & Iindicator Data Submission Forms - input from RWED on wildlife Criteria 1. Copy in Infobase Reference binder - RSC10 Return

Range Extent

  • Novak M et al.(editors) (1987) Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources RWED Library Call #SK355.W5 - B113 Return

Short Term Trends

  • NWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (1995) NWT Wildlife Sketches: Marten of the Northwest Territories. NWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development 1st Edition Personal Files - P045 Return

Taxonomy

  • Wilson, Don E. and Reeder, DeeAnn M. (2005) Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Johns Hopkins University Press 3rd ed 2142 pages - R169 Return

Threats

  • Mammals Committee: Ron Graf, Ray Case, Robert Mulders, Suzanne Carrière, Alisdair Veitch, Richard Popko, John Nagy, Jen Lange (1999) Personal Communication. RWED, GNWT - H116 Return
  • Flynn RW and Schumacher T (1996) Ecology of martens in southeast Alaska. Alaska Department of Fish and Game Grant W-24-4, Study 7.16 RWED Library Call #QL737.C25F59 - R044 Return