Main Characteristics:Japanese Martens have a body length of approximately 50 cms (19.7 inches), a tail length of around 20 cms (7.9 inches) and they weigh between 1 and 1.5 kgs (2.2 - 3.3 lbs).
They vary in colour from dark brown to a dull yellow and they have a cream coloured throat patch.
Habitat: Japanese Martens can be found in the broad leaved forests of east Asia. They sleep in a den in a ground burrow or a hollow tree.
Diet: Japanese Martens feed on small birds, small mammals, fish, frogs, insects, fruit and seeds.
Breeding: Japanese Martens breed from late March to mid May and they give birth between mid July and early August. They produce litters of 1 - 5 young which are blind, deaf and covered in fur at birth.
When the youngsters are between 3 and 4 months old they are able to kill their own prey and they become independent shortly after this. They reach sexual maturity at 1 - 2 years of age.
Subspecies: Subspecies of the Japanese Marten include:
Martes melampus melampus - several Japanese islands
Martes melampus tsuensis - Tsushima Island
Martes melampus coreensis - North and South Korea.
Latin Name | Martes melampus |
Conservation Status | Least Concern |
Location | East Asia |
Colour | Brown/Yellow |
Length | 50 cm (19.7 inches) |
Tail | 20 cm (7.9 inches) |
Weight | 1 - 1.5 Kgs (2.2 - 3.3 lbs) |
Life Expectancy |
Up to 15 Yrs |