1. Protected animals in
Bulgaria
Martes martes
By Radina Beleva, 4th grade – 10 years old,
2. Scheme
1 . Habitat
2 . Nutrition
3 . Threats to this species
4. Attachments to the
living environment
5. Reproduction
• 6. Importance
3. 1 . Habitat
The European pine marten /Martes martes/ is an
animal native to Northern Europe.
In Bulgaria we can meet the Marten, although
rarely in Strandja mountain, East Balkan mountain,
the lower parts in Rila mountain, Pirin mountain
and Rhodopes mountain.
Marten is typical forest animals. It inhabits old
coniferous and mixed forests in hollow trees.
Used Squirrel nests or hollows
as a den.
4. 2 . Nutrition
The Marten eats small mammals, birds,
insects, frogs, and carrion. They have also
been known to eat berries, bird's eggs,
meat, nuts and honey.
They are mainly active at night and dusk.
5. 3. Threats to this species
Although they are preyed upon
occasionally by eagles and by foxes,
humans are the largest threat to the
martens. They are prized for their very fine
fur.
6. 4 . Attachments to the living environment
As a predator, the marten has developed appropriate facilities
in the service of finding, catching, killing and eating prey. It
hunts by waiting for the victim, so the species is acquired
camouflage colors.
Marten has a very nice thick and soft fur: chestnut brown, dark
brown on the back and sometimes yellowish brown. Throat and
chest have a patch of golden-yellow to orange back with a
tuberosity passing between the base of the two front limbs. Its
paws are black. In winter its color is darker.
7. Attachments to the living environment
The Marten is about the size of a domestic cat. Its
body is up to 53 cm in length, and its bushy tail can be 25
cm. Males are slightly larger than females; on average a
marten weighs around 1.5 kg.
Her teeth are adapted for biting and tearing animal
flesh.
Has Anal glands emitting
odorous discharge, which mark
their territory and attract partners.
8. Attachments to the living environment
Martens are the only mustelids with semi-
retractable claws. This allows them to run or
climb on trees, although they are relatively
quick and runners on earth.
9. Attachments to the living environment
To trace the victims in the woods most important hearing
and smell, as predators here have where to hide. Marten
has a well developed sense of hearing and smell.
10. 5 . Reproduction
The Marten has lived to 18 years in captivity, but in the
wild a lifespan of eight to ten years is more typical. They
reach sexual maturity at two or three years of age. The
young are usually born in March or April after a 7 month-
long gestation period in litters of one to five. They weigh
around 30 grams at birth. The young begin to emerge
out of their dens by the middle of June and are fully
independent around six months after their birth.
11. 6. Importance
Тhе fur of marten prices much, which is the
reason to exterminate in Europe.Marten is
rare in Bulgaria, so huntingand is prohibited.
Is included as an endangeredspecies in
the Red Data Book of
Bulgaria.
