In the northeastern and midwestern United States, American marten distribution is limited to mountain ranges that provide preferred habitat. In Canada and Alaska, the American marten's distribution is vast and continuous. From east to west, its distribution extends from Newfoundland to western Alaska, and southwest to the Pacific coast of Canada. From north to south its range extends from the northern limit of treeline in arctic Alaska and Canada south to New York. The American marten is broadly distributed in northern North America. Ī fossil species from the Late Pleistocene to Early Holocene known as Martes nobilis is considered synonymous with the American marten. None of the subspecies are separable based on morphology and subspecies taxonomy is usually ignored except with regards to conservation issues centered around subspecies rather than ranges. The Pacific marten has a longer snout and a broader cranium than the American marten. The Pacific marten ( Martes caurina) was formerly thought to be conspecific, but genetic studies support both being distinct species from one another. Populations have rebounded since, with them being considered a species of least-concern by the IUCN however, they remain extirpated from some areas of the Northeast, and of the 7 subspecies, one is threatened. Trapping peaked in 1820, and populations were depleted until after the turn of the century. Their sable-like fur made them a thoroughly trapped species during the height of the North American fur trade. Young stay with the mother in a constructed den until the fall, and reach sexual maturity by one year old. Embryonic implantation is delayed until late winter however, with a litter of 1–5 kits born the following spring. They are solitary except during the mid-summer breeding season. The diet is omnivorous and varies by season, but relies chiefly on small mammals like voles. Sexual dimorphism is pronounced, with males being much larger. Identification of the marten is further eased by a characteristic bib that is a distinctly different color than the body. It may be confused with the fisher ( Pekania pennanti), but the marten is lighter in color and smaller. It is a long, slender-bodied weasel, with fur ranging from yellowish to brown to near black. It is found throughout Canada, Alaska, and parts of the northern United States. The name " pine marten" is derived from the common name of the distinct Eurasian species, Martes martes. The species is sometimes referred to as simply the pine marten. The American marten ( Martes americana), also known as the American pine marten, is a species of North American mammal, a member of the family Mustelidae. American marten range (note: map is missing distribution in parts of Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, and New England includes range of Pacific marten)
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