Life History
How does this organism
reproduce?
The Martes pennanti
reproduces sexually. Unusual for its size the gestation period for a female
Marten is approximately 353 days. This is almost a year to produce a litter of
three on average. After the birth of a little the female has mated again within
a week. A female Marten gives birth and then she dens with her kits for several
weeks, studies have shown denning periods ranging from
Females reach adult weight at about 5.5 months
and start breeding at 1 year old, the males take a little longer to develop, and
don’t make adult weight until they are a year old. This means they aren’t able
to breed until they are 2 years old.
What is a Marten Like When it is born?
A kit fisher is born blind and almost completely without hair. They have
an average birth weight of about 40 grams. It takes about 53 days for the
fishers eyes to completely open and then they stay in the den until fall.
Interesting Quotes About Martens:
“A Marten In The Hand Is Worth Two In The Bush”
“Hold Your Martens”