Japanese Marten
Discover Japan’s golden-furred forest climber.
What Is a Japanese Marten?
The Japanese marten (Martes melampus) is a small, tree-dwelling mammal found in forests across the Japanese islands of Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Tsushima. As with other members of the mustelid family, this species is agile, elusive, and highly adapted to forest life.
The Japanese marten plays a crucial role in maintaining forest ecosystems, helping to control small mammal populations and insects while also aiding plant growth by dispersing seeds from the fruits they consume.
Their ability to thrive in a wide range of habitats, from deep forests to forest edges, makes them one of the more adaptable types of marten.
Identifying Features and Marten Size
The Japanese marten has a slender body, bushy tail, pointed face, and large, rounded ears. Its fur colour varies by region and season, ranging from a golden-yellow to reddish-brown, and it often has a pale or creamy throat patch.
In terms of marten size, adult Japanese martens typically weigh between 0.9 and 2 kg (2 to 4.5 pounds) and measure 46 to 56 cm (18 to 22 inches) in total length.
Among the various types of marten, they are similar in size to the European pine marten but slightly smaller than the American marten.
Habitat and Behaviour
Japanese martens prefer well-wooded environments, especially broadleaf and mixed forests, but are adaptable enough to live near rivers, forest edges, and even close to rural communities. Primarily active at night, they lead solitary lives and use scent to mark and maintain their territory.
Agile and curious, Japanese martens navigate both trees and ground with ease, often resting in hollow logs, rock crevices, or dense undergrowth. Their diet shifts throughout the year, consisting of rodents, birds, insects, and amphibians, as well as fruits, berries, and seeds.
In seasons when plant foods are abundant, they consume large amounts of fruit, aiding forest growth by spreading seeds through their droppings.
Conservation and Recovery
IUCN status: Least Concern (LC)
Though the species is considered stable overall, some local populations (such as those on Tsushima Island) face pressure from habitat loss and fragmentation.
The Japanese marten is protected under national wildlife laws, with conservation efforts focused on preserving forests, regulating trapping, and maintaining habitat connectivity.
Fast Facts About the Japanese Marten
The Japanese marten is one of the few types of marten with golden-yellow fur.
They are known to raid wasp nests for larvae and honeycombs.
Breeding takes place in spring, with kits born in midsummer. Young martens begin hunting on their own by autumn.
They often live in forested areas near towns and villages, showing a high tolerance for human proximity.
Unlike some other types of marten, they are frequently seen during twilight or even daylight hours in less-disturbed areas.