A brown-furred mustelid with a cream to yellow bib on its throat, found across most of Europe. It is the only mustelid with semi-retractable claws, which help it climb and run through trees. Where it has returned in Britain and Ireland, grey squirrels have retreated and red squirrels recovered.
Quick answers
What is it?Mammal
Carnivore?Omnivore
Dangerous?No
Domesticated?No
Awake when?Night
Mainly active at night and dusk.
Hibernates?No
Kept as a pet?No
Do people eat it?No
At a glance
Found inEurope, Asia
ColoursBrown, Cream
SizeSmall
LengthUp to 53 cm, plus a tail of about 25 cm
WeightAbout 1.5–1.7 kg
Legs4
Covered inFur
Lives alone
Lives for3–11 years
In the wild
- Where it lives
- Most of Europe, Asia Minor, the Caucasus and parts of Iran, Iraq and Syria.
- What it eats
- Small mammals, birds, insects, frogs and carrion, plus berries, fruit, eggs, nuts and honey.
- Conservation
- Least Concern (IUCN Red List)
Did you know
The only mustelid with semi-retractable claws, and a hunter of grey squirrels.
Grey squirrels spend more time on the ground than red squirrels, which makes them easier prey for pine martens.
Wild pine martens typically live 3–4 years; the oldest recorded in the wild reached 11.
Often confused with
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