When it comes to martens, one automatically thinks of real martens (Martes) such as stone and pine martens, but there are other marten species that are native to Germany. Below is a brief overview of this.

In a nutshell

  • Marten species native to Germany live in the water and on land
  • belong to the dog-like predatory animals (Canoidea)
  • Usually crepuscular and nocturnal
  • slim, supple, elongated physique typical (except badger)
  • most species of marten secrete a stinking secretion through the anal gland

Characteristics of all marten species

Various marten species are native to Germany, an overview of which will be given later. Martens are canine predators and can live in water and on land. Among them there are excellent swimmers such as the mink and the otter. They are usually nocturnal or crepuscular. Mainly the local marten species are carnivores or omnivores. The loners mark their territories with a stinking anal secretion. Typical for all marten species, not only in Germany, are further characteristics:

  • slim, supple, elongated body
  • short limbs
  • five curved, non-retractable claws per foot
  • relatively small ears
  • predominantly brown or black fur
  • strong scissor bite
  • Number of teeth between 28 and 38 pieces

List of native marten species

Below is an overview of the marten species living in Germany. They are listed alphabetically:

Pine Marten (Martes martes)

  • Appearance: Triangular ears with a yellow border; black nose; hairy soles; long bushy tail
  • Fur: Reddish brown to dark brown with a yellowish brown throat patch
  • Size: 40 to 50 cm, tail 15 to 25 cm
  • Weight: 1 to 1.5 kg
  • Lifespan: 6 to 15 years
  • Litters per year: one with 3 to 5 young
  • Habitat: Deciduous and coniferous forests, in treetops
  • Food: squirrels, birds, insects, amphibians, mollusks, rodents, berries, nuts
  • Natural enemies: golden eagle, red fox

European Badger (Meles meles)

  • Appearance: stocky, compact build; strong digging paws; slender, conical head; long snout; thin tail with white hair; round, small, protruding ears
  • Fur: silvery grey, head with black and white markings
  • Size: body length 50-80 cm, tail 10-18 cm
  • Weight: 5 to 20 kg
  • Lifespan: 5 to 15 years
  • Litters per year: one with 3 to 5 young
  • Habitat: underground tubes in the forest (badger's den), deciduous and mixed forests, wet and swampy areas
  • Food: berries, worms, insects, snails, fruit, seeds
  • Natural enemies: wolf and fox

European mink (Mustela lutreola)

  • Appearance: short ears; Webbed toes
  • fur: reddish brown, dark brown to black; white chin and throat
  • Size: body length 25-45 cm, tail 10-20 cm
  • Weight: 0.5 to 0.9 kg
  • Lifespan: 4 to 10 years
  • Litters per year: one with 2 to 10 young
  • Habitat: riparian regions with dense vegetation, on standing and flowing water
  • Diet: Birds, ducks, rabbits, hares, fish, crabs, amphibians, insects
  • Natural enemies: foxes, birds of prey, otters

Notice: The European mink should not be missing from this overview, even if it is considered “extinct” or “lost” on the Red List in Germany. The mink should be at home here again. Resettlement has been taking place in the Saarland and on the Steinhuder Meer for several years.

Otter (Lutra lutra)

  • Appearance: flat, broad head; cylindrical physique; small eyes; blunt muzzle; strong whiskers (vibrissae); small, barely visible ears; webbed toes; strong, powerful tail
  • Fur: Glossy dark brown, sides of head and neck light brown to whitish
  • Size: body length up to 140 cm, tail 30-50 cm
  • Weight: 7 to 15 kg
  • Lifespan: 15 to 18 years
  • Litters per year: one with 2 to 4 young
  • Habitat: Bank structures on streams, lakes, rivers, ponds with dense vegetation
  • Food: water fowl, fish, crabs, amphibians, mussels, snails, aquatic insects, small mammals (including muskrats)
  • Natural enemies: lynx, wolf, white-tailed eagle

Notice: Otters can dive 300 meters to a depth of 18 meters. The ears and nose are closed. They are also able to walk up to 20 kilometers in the countryside.

Ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

  • Appearance: round, small ears; plump snout; bushy, long tail
  • Fur: black and white, also whitish light yellow
  • Size: body length 50-60 cm, tail 10-20 cm
  • Weight: 0.5 to 2.2 kg
  • Lifespan: 5 to 10 years
  • Litters per year: one with 3 to 7 young
  • Habitat: adaptable, kept as pets, little chance of survival in nature
  • Food: small rodents, birds

Notice: Ferrets belong to the polecats, they were domesticated. In the past they were used for hunting.

Stoat (Mustela erminea)

Ermine with winter (left) and summer fur (right)
  • Appearance: short legs, short tail
  • Fur: Brown on top, yellowish white on sides and belly, black tip of tail (summer fur); all white except black tip of tail (winter coat)
  • Size: body length 25-40 cm, tail 8-12 cm
  • Weight: 110 to 345 g
  • Lifespan: 4 to 6 years
  • Litters per year: one with 5 to 7 young
  • Habitat: field edges, forest edges, hedges, parks, in burrows under piles of stones, in abandoned hamster and mole burrows
  • Food: mice, rats, rabbits, birds, bird eggs, fish, insects, amphibians
  • Natural enemies: birds of prey such as owls, buzzards, badgers, foxes, larger martens such as stone martens

Notice: In earlier centuries, the fur of the ermine, also known as the Great Weasel, was used for the cloaks of kings.

Polecat (Mustela putorius)

  • Appearance: very slim body and head; low shoulder height up to 5 cm
  • fur: dark brown or black; Muzzle, tips of ears, white with black spots behind the eyes
  • Size: body length 30 to 35 cm, tail 15 cm
  • Weight: 0.3 to 1.5 kg
  • Lifespan: 4 to 10 years
  • Litters per year: one with 3 to 8 young
  • Habitat: fields, meadows, forest edges, open areas
  • Food: small rodents, amphibians, birds, bird eggs, fish, fruits, berries
  • Natural enemies: birds of prey, wolves, foxes, lynxes

Notice: The polecat has been on the red list of endangered species in Germany since 2022.

Little weasel (Mustela nivalis)

  • Appearance: short legs; long neck; flat ears; pointed snout; round little head
  • Fur: brown-red, belly white
  • Size: body length 10-18 cm, tail 2-8 cm
  • Weight: 50 to 250 g
  • Lifespan: 2 to 5 years
  • Litters per year: one with 4 to 10 young
  • Habitat: Meadows, heaths, forest edges, hedges, open areas
  • Food: lemmings, mice, rabbits, insects, birds, amphibians
  • Natural enemies: martens, ermines, owls, foxes
  • Special feature: the smallest predatory species in the world

Mink (Neovision vision)

  • Appearance: strong physique; pointed, flat head; Webbed toes
  • Fur: dark brown, darker upper lip; lighter mandibular spot
  • Size: body length 30 to 45 cm, tail 20 cm
  • Weight: 0.5 to 2.5 kg
  • Lifespan: 3 to 7 years
  • Litters per year: one with 2 to 10 young
  • Habitat: Banks of rivers, ponds, lakes with high, dense vegetation
  • Diet: Crustaceans, fish, amphibians, water fowl, mice, muskrats, insects, ground-nesting birds and eggs
  • Natural enemies: otters, foxes

Notice: The American mink is a neozoan, originally from America, but feels at home here. The wild animals here come from breeding farms.

Beech marten (Martes foina)

  • Appearance: bushy tail; bright nose; very slim body; hairless soles
  • fur: grey-brown; white, forked throat patch, sometimes reaching to front legs
  • Size: body length 35-55 cm, tail 22-30 cm
  • Weight: 1.1 to 2.3 kg
  • Lifespan: 3 to 10 years
  • Litters per year: one with 3 to 5 young
  • Habitat: open and rocky terrains with trees, parks, attics, barns
  • Food: small mammals, amphibians, birds, bird eggs, insects, berries, fruit
  • Natural enemies: birds of prey, foxes

frequently asked Questions

Is there a possibility that martens bite people?

Normally, the shy animals do not necessarily want to be close to people, but rather flee. However, bites can occur if an animal feels threatened or cornered. The bites can be quite painful. In such cases, these should be presented to a doctor as inflammation is possible.

Are all martens protected in Germany?

They are not under nature protection, they fall under the hunting law. However, they may only be hunted, caught or killed by a hunter, but only outside of the closed season from mid-October to the end of February. The only exceptions are the otter and European mink, which are on the Red List as endangered.

How can martens be driven out of the house and garden?

Mainly stone martens feel at home here. To drive them away, their new home should be made really uncomfortable, for example loud music, use of repellent spray or powder. The animals cannot tolerate the smell. A marten deterrent can also be used. It produces unpleasant sounds for the animals. In addition, the places of residence must be thoroughly cleaned. All scent marks must go.

Category:

Animals in the garden