Pine marten

Martens are members of the same family of mammals as the badgers, otters, ferrets, weasels and ermine. They resemble large ferrets or weasels, with long, lithe bodies, short legs and pointed muzzles.

The European marten (M. foina) inhabits most parts of Europe. It is a most elegant and lively animal, exceedingly agile and graceful in its motions. The female breeds in hollows trees and produces from three to seven young at a time, which in winter, have sometimes been found sheltered in magpies’ pests.

The American marten, Martes americana of North America, is about 20-23 inches long with an 8 inch tail. It has light red to blackish fur and a buff or orange-colored throat patch.

Martes americana

It lives in forests, showing a preference for conifers, and range across most of the northern United States, Canada, and Alaska. This species is also found in Northern Asia and Europe.

It very closely resembles the marten of Europe, but may distinguished but its smaller size, longer legs, finer, thicker and more glossy fur and from the throat being marked by a broad yellow spot whilst the same part in the European marten is white.

This agile mustelid American marten speeds through the trees in pursuit of red squirrels and other prey. It will also hunt birds and insects and forage for fruit, nuts, and carrion.
Pine marten

Moose (Eurasian elk)

Moose are the largest members of the deer family, a group that also includes caribou, elk and white tailed deer.  But unlike the other deer species, moose are usually solitary animals, preferring to live alone. They are also one of the largest land mammals in North America.

Moose love in the United States and Canada. They also live in parts of northern Europe and Asia, where they are called elk.

A moose makes its ho0me in and near the forests, swamps and bodies of water found in these regions. Moose habitat has to heave leafy trees and freshwater. It also has to have cold weather.

Moose have large bodies and heads. They are more than 6 feet tall. They have lumps on their shoulders. Their legs are long and thin. Moose’s front legs are longer than their back legs. In winter, a moose’s long legs help it move though deep snow. Moose can even run in deep snow.

A moose can weigh from 600 to 1800 pounds. Just one moose could weigh more than 20 children. Despite its huge size and weight, the moose is very agile.
Moose (Eurasian elk)