Martens — the average sizes predatory small animals with a sharp muzzle and beautiful fur. Scientists-zoologists so far managed to study quite not bad representatives of many types of this family, having learned about their way of life, food and habits.
Martens - what they?
Allocate several species of martens - American, a fisher (or black fox), forest, stone, a simple and Japanese sable and also a usual and nilgirsky harza. Irrespective of the place of resettlement of representatives of any given look, in an image of their life is much general. According to scientists, based on results of long-term observations, martens can sometimes constitute danger to people. Cases when children suffered from a sting of these nice small animals are known, in particular, secretly from adults thrusting fingers into a cage during visit of a zoo.
Fisher, or marten fisher
The fisher meeting in North American forest thickets, also known as marten fisher, or black fox, contrary to the name eats fish rather as an exception. According to researchers, small animals could receive the name as a result of loan from French of the word fichet meaning in translation "polecat". Representatives of this look eat usually wood porcupines, mice, proteins, alpine hares and birds. Eat a fisher and shrews. It is periodically possible to notice how martens regale on berries and various fruits, in particular, on apples.
North American martens
The American martens, it is equal as fishers, are only among predators of the size, capable about ease to hunt both in holes, and on trees. However the American martens are so far a little studied as differ in big care and a nocturnalism. Scientists so far are only inclined to assume that their diet and habits can be similar to similar features of martens of other types.
What is eaten by stone martens
The stone marten (also other her name - a belodushka is known) meets in the territory of Europe, and is not afraid, unlike representatives of other types marten, to live near settlements, periodically looking even to houses of locals. The stone marten found the name thanks to what meets even in a stony landscape. Representatives of this look first of all eat meat, hunting as small mammals (mice, rats, rabbits), and birds. Belodushka and frogs and insects do not disdain. During the summer period they willingly eat fruit and berries. It is noted that quite often stone martens commit assaults against poultry and pigeons. The chickens beginning to rush about in panic on the hen house instantly awaken an injurious reflex in martens. As a result they can kill much bigger quantity of birds, than are capable to eat.
Diet of forest martens
The forest martens (zheltodushka) living in a number of regions of Europe and in the west of some countries of Asia as it is easy to guess by their name, prefer to live in forests, carefully avoiding possible meetings with people. Representatives of this look, as well as many other martens, are almost omnivorous. Favourite their food are small rodents, including, proteins, and bird's eggs. With pleasure, according to zoologists, zheltodushka are eaten also frogs with snails, and in the fall habitually regale on wild berries and nuts, and are capable to accumulate stocks for the winter.
Whom the sable hunts
The sable who can be met in the Siberian taiga besides food, traditional for all martens, hunts hazel grouses and wood-grouses. However the most part of its diet is made by creepers (senostavka) and proteins - a sable annually exterminate thus about several million these forest small animals.