Backpacker (12/97) - Last pine martin found in Vermont was in early 20th century, now has 115 released from Maine and New York (released from 1989-1991).
NATIONAL WILDLIFE (?) - American martens need mature forests. So sensitive to changes in it’s habitat, the marten is considered an indicator species. However, on a practical level, since it is so secretive and so little is known about it, its’ status as an indicator species is not very useful. A northern species, found in spruce/fir forests up to the northern tundra. Home range may be 2,500 acres. Carnivorous, feeding on mice, squirrel, berries and carrion. Marten are apt to not cross even open lands of 25 feet width, such as roads. They do seem to have a sweet tooth-very attracted to candy and sugar.
Marten don’t have thick fur (like the snowshoe hare or arctic fox) or large fat reserves to carry it through the winter (4% fat compared to 30% found in bear, deer and prairie dogs). Even within the family, badgers accumulate fat and hibernate. Unlike weasels who spend most of the winter beneath the snow, the marten is usually on the surface, only diving in little holes along branches that protrude through the snow looking for prey. Marten rely on muscle proteins as a partial fuel before their limited fat reserves are depleted. Perhaps the main energy conservation tool is in their habit of resting in hollow logs or among rocks under the snow. Old growth woods provide lots of shelter, food and defensive shelter from predators.