Terra Nova National Park of Canada

Newfoundland Marten

(Martes Americana atrata)

NL Marten
© Parks Canada / Rod Cox

Status:   ENDANGERED
Approximately 300 animals

Family: Mustelidae (Weasel)

Description:

• Slender body
• Short limbs
• Long bushy tail
• Soft dense dark brown fur
• Orange throat patch
• Male: 1100 g, 50-63 cm (average)
• Female: 750 g, 46-56 cm (average)

Range:

• Only found on the Island of Newfoundland
• Most of the population occurs in the Little Grand Lake area with other smaller populations near Red Indian Lake, Glover Island, Main River and the Terra Nova National Park area
• Historically, marten were found throughout most forested areas of the island

NL Marten with a radio collar around the neck
© Parks Canada

Habitat:

• Areas of late successional mixed or coniferous forests
• Forest of this type provide the structure that marten need for feeding and shelter
• Large home ranges
• Male territory: 30 km ²
• Female territory: 15 km ²

Reproduction:

• Mate in late summer
• Males may mate with 2-3 females
• 2-3 kits born in spring or marten's third year
• Denning sites are underground cavities created by fallen trees, rock piles, or woody debris
• Young are born deaf, blind and naked
• Adult size at 3 ½ months
  

A group of school children discover a NL marten as part of a field trip to Terra Nova National Park
© Parks Canada / David Saunders

Food:

• Meadow vole
• Snowshoe hare
• Red Squirrel
• Berries
• Carrion

Limiting Factors & Threats:

• Habitat loss due to forest harvesting
• Accidental mortality due to snaring and trapping
• Low population numbers in isolated pockets

Special Significance of Species:

• 1 of only 14 native mammals on the Island of Newfoundland
• Genetically distinct from marten on the mainland
• Once trapped for fur
• ENDANGERED