American Marten Skull Replica

Description

American marten skull replica measures 3.5 x 1.8 x 1.3 inches. The Martes americana skull is a museum-quality polyurethane cast of California Academy of Sciences specimen. 2-part skull (separate cranium and mandible). 1:1 scale. Made in USA.

The American marten, or American pine marten, is a North American mammal. This animal is a long, slender-bodied weasel about the size of a mink. It has large, rounded ears, short limbs, and a bushy tail. The head has a triangular shape and a sharp nose.

Long, silky fur covers the body, ranging from pale yellowish buff to tawny brown or almost black. The head is usually lighter than the rest of the body. The tail and legs have darker fur. Martens have a throat and chest bib that ranges from pale straw to vivid orange color.

These mammals have limited body-fat reserves. They experience high heat loss for their size and have limited fasting endurance. During the winter, they enter a state of slowed body activity that animals use to save energy and survive harsh weather and food shortages.

Martens are opportunistic hunters. Local and seasonal prey availability heavily influences their diet. They require about 80 calories per day while resting, which equals about three voles. Voles dominate their diet throughout their entire geographic range. Larger prey like snowshoe hares become important food sources during the winter. They eat deer mice and shrews less often than expected.

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Carnivora
• Family: Mustelidae
• Genus: Martes
• Species: M. americana
• Binomial name: Martes americana
• Conservation status: Least concerned

Grouping the American marten skull with the American mink skull replica, the fisher martes female skull replica and the Eastern deer mouse skull replica creates a premier North American mustelid exhibit that showcases predator-prey dynamics, and size variation amoung woodland carnivores.