Pacific Marten
Meet the agile hunter of Western North America’s forests.
What Is a Pacific Marten?
The Pacific marten (Martes caurina) is a medium-sized mustelid native to the forests of western North America, from coastal forests to the Rocky Mountains.
Once considered a subspecies of the American marten, it is now recognized as a distinct species, based on genetic and morphological differences. Among the many types of martens, the Pacific marten is especially notable for its adaptability across a wide range of forest environments, including coastal islands, interior mountains, and even dune systems.
Found from the Pacific coast inland to the Rockies, its range overlaps with the American marten in places like central Idaho and Montana, as well as on Kuiu Island in Alaska.
Identifying Features and Marten Size
The Pacific marten has a soft, dense coat ranging in colour from pale yellow to reddish brown or dark chocolate, with a lighter chest patch that may be cream or orange. Adults usually measure 48 to 64 cm (19 to 25 inches) in body length, with an additional bushy tail, and weigh up to 1.8 kg (4 pounds). In terms of marten size, males are typically larger than females. Its thick fur, broad feet, and curved claws make it well-suited for moving through deep snow and dense forest structure.
The Pacific marten is slightly more compact than the American marten but maintains excellent agility and climbing ability.
Despite subtle physical differences, the two species are so similar in appearance that it’s nearly impossible to distinguish them in the field without handling the animals directly or conducting genetic testing. Because of this, camera trap surveys alone cannot reliably distinguish between American and Pacific martens, posing a challenge for wildlife researchers and conservation efforts.
Habitat and Behaviour
Pacific martens are most commonly found in mature coniferous or mixed forests, particularly those with complex structures (such as fallen logs, dead and dying trees, and a layered canopy cover). They are closely associated with old-growth forests but demonstrate their flexibility by inhabiting islands, coastal dunes, and fragmented woodlands.
Typically solitary, Pacific martens are crepuscular, primarily active at dawn and dusk. Their diet includes voles, mice, squirrels, birds, insects, fruits, and carrion. Some have even been observed scavenging along streams and coastlines, demonstrating their opportunistic feeding habits.
Conservation and Recovery
IUCN status: Pending Ranking
While generally stable, some Pacific marten populations face serious threats. These include habitat loss due to logging and wildfires, decreased snowpack resulting from climate change, and reduced forest complexity caused by resource extraction. Many populations exist in small, isolated patches that are vulnerable to reduced genetic diversity.
Pacific martens may be more sensitive to warming temperatures than American martens, especially in areas where deep snow cover is diminishing.
Conservation priorities include maintaining forest structures, increasing habitat connectivity, and monitoring hybrid zones where they overlap with American martens.
Fast Facts About the Pacific Marten
The Pacific marten is a distinct species, not a subspecies of the American marten.
Pacific martens are known to rest and den in tree cavities, under logs, or inside old squirrel or bird nests.
Their fur-covered feet act like natural snowshoes, helping them move across deep snow in high-elevation forests.
Pacific martens have adapted to a wide range of forest types, from coastal rainforests to those found in the interior mountains.