File:American marten walking in snow - DPLA - afa61dce73881a3b2672f186bc30bea7.jpg

35 mm slide; color. Scientific Classification: Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Class: Mammalia; Order: Carnivora; Family: Mustelidae; Genus: Martes; Genus species: Martes americana. Animal characteristics: Head-Body Length: 30-45 cm; Weight: .5-1.5 kg; Identification: The American marten has a long, slender body and a pointed face. Its tail is bushy, and the body is dark brown in color; Habitat: Forests, woodlands; Diet: Carnivore: squirrels, insects, other small animals, fruits, nuts; Reproduction: Mating takes place in mid-summer and females gestate for 220-276 days. After establishing a den in a hollow tree, a female will give birth to 2-4 young in April. The babies are weaned at two months and reach adult weight a month later; Social Structure: These animals remain solitary except during the breeding season; Behavior: Martens are at home on the ground, in a tree, or even in the water; Status: No special status; Interesting Facts: The fisher, one of the eight marten species, has developed a way of defeating the porcupine, an animal with a perfect defense mechanism. It directs its attack to the porcupine's face, the area that is not protected.