Yellow-throated marten

Yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula)

Phylum —chordata
Class — mammalia
Order — carnivora
Family — mustelidae

Genus – martes

Appearance

The yellow-throated marten is a large, robust, muscular and flexible animal with an elongated thorax, a small pointed head, a long neck and a very long tail which is about 2/3 as long as its body. The tail is not as bushy as that of other martens, and thus seems longer than it actually is. The limbs are relatively short and strong, with broad feet. The ears are large and broad, but short with rounded tips. The soles of the feet are covered with coarse, flexible hairs, though the digital and foot pads are naked and the paws are weakly furred.

Males measure 500–719 mm (19.7–28.3 in) in body length, while females measure 500–620 mm (20–24 in). Males weigh 2.5–5.7 kg (5.5–12.6 lb), while females weigh 1.6–3.8 kg (3.5–8.4 lb).

The yellow-throated marten has relatively short fur which lacks the fluffiness of the pine marten, sable and beech marten. The winter fur differs from that of other martens by its relative shortness, its harshness and its luster. It is also not as dense, fluffy and compact as that of other martens. The hairs on the tail are short and of equal length over the whole tail. The summer fur is shorter, sparser, less compact and lustrous. The color of the pelage is unique among martens, being bright and variegated. The top of the head is blackish brown with shiny brown highlights, while the cheeks are somewhat more reddish, with a mixture of white hair tips. The back of the ears are black, while he inner portions are covered with yellowish grey. The fur is a shiny brownish-yellow color with a golden tone from the occiput along the surface of the back. The color becomes browner on the hind quarters. The flanks and belly are bright yellowish in tone. The chest and lower part of the throat are a brighter, orange-golden color than the back and belly. The chin and lower lips are pure white. The front paws and lower forelimbs are pure black, while the upper parts of the limbs are the same color as the front of the back. The tail is of a shiny pure black color, though the tip has a light, violet wash. The base of the tail is greyish brown.

Habitat

Yellow-throated martens occur in Afghanistan and Pakistan, in the Himalayas of India, Nepal and Bhutan, the Korean Peninsula, southern China, Taiwan, and eastern Russia. In the south, its range extends to Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, Laos, Cambodia, and Viet Nam.

Behavior

Yellow-throated martens are diurnal hunters, which usually hunt in pairs, but may also hunt in packs of three or more. These animals hold extensive, but not permanent, home-ranges. They actively patrol their territory, having been known to cover over 10 to 20 km in a single day and night. They primarily hunt on the ground but can climb trees proficiently, being capable of making jumps up to 8 to 9 meters in distance between branches. Yellow-throated martens are fearless animals; they have only a few natural predators due to their powerful build, their bright coloration, and unpleasant odor. They are not afraid of humans or dogs and are easily tamed.

Diet

Yellow-throated martens are omnivores, whose sources of food range from fruit and nectar to small deer. Their diet includes rats, mice, hares, snakes, lizards, eggs and ground-nesting birds such as pheasants and francolins. They also prey on cats and poultry, and small ungulates such as Musk deer, wapiti, Spotted deer, Roe deer, and goral. Wild boar piglets and panda cubs are also taken on occasion.

Reproduction

Little is known about the mating system in yellow-throated martens. They breed from mid-February to late March and from late June to early August. During these periods, the males fight each other for access to females. Females typically give birth to 2 or 3 kits per litter, although litters of 4 or 5 have been observed. The gestation period usually lasts between 220 and 290 days.

Little is known about the lifespan of yellow-throated martens in the wild. One individual lived 16 years in captivity.

In captivity

Once in captivity, especially whilebeing young, yellow-throated marten easily gets used to a person and becomes quite tamed.

In captivity yellow-throated marten is unpretentious to food: it eats liver, brains, blood, tripe, meat, but especially prefers live or dead flesh (rats, rabbits, chickens). Liver is recommended to be given regularly throughout the year for 25-30 g per day for an  adult animal. Meat, mostly, should be given in raw form. From other feeds, yellow-throated marten eats insects, dry cottage cheese, meat blood meal, vegetables, nuts and berries, porridge made of crushed wheat, barley or oatmeal, milk.