(Cat Crainn) These animals walk on their toes and have strongly curved short claws. They eat meat and eggs, frogs, insects and birds. Martens have long bodies, short legs and five toes on each foot. The blind and helpless young are born in a hole in the ground or in a hollow tree, and are carefully looked after by their mother. Two to four are born in March or April.

A pine marten's fur is dark brown and has a yellow spot on the throat. They live in forest areas and spend the day in hollow trees or in large deserted birds' nests. They only start to hunt at dusk. Pine martens have long bushy tails and are excellent climbers. They are related to the stoat.

By Wendy Donegan and Shirley Maughan

Index of mammals