The Newfoundland population of the American Marten (also known as the Newfoundland marten) is one of 14 subspecies of American Marten. It is one of the larger subspecies, with darker fur.
The American Marten is a small tree-dwelling carnivore of the skunk and weasel family. It has a slender body and short legs with curved claws for climbing. The head is broad, tapering to a sharp nose, the ears are large and rounded, and the eyes are black. Its bushy tail is about half of the body length. The long, silky, dense fur varies from pale buff to dark brown on the back. A bib on the throat and chest may be creamy to bright orange. The American Marten’s summer coat is lighter in colour and much thinner. Males are slightly larger than females.
The range of the American Marten extends throughout the coniferous forests and taiga zone of North America. The atrata subspecies of the American Marten is found in Canada, on the island of Newfoundland and in northern Quebec and Labrador. The Newfoundland population occurs only on the island of Newfoundland. The Newfoundland population of the American Marten is currently found in three main forest patches in western Newfoundland (Little Grand Lake, Red Indian Lake and Main River) and on the east coast of Newfoundland (Terra Nova National Park of Canada). Smaller populations occur in peripheral areas near St. George’s and Lobster House Hill.
Members of the Newfoundland population of the American Marten reach breeding age at around 15 months. Mating occurs once a year, and the young are born in the spring. A litter consists of one to five kits. Although this small carnivore is an opportunistic feeder, consuming whatever prey is most abundant, meadow voles remain the most important food item throughout the year. Snowshoe hares are important prey, especially in winter. Other prey items, such as masked shrews, red squirrels and birds, and carrion are consumed more frequently in winter. The most significant predator of the Newfoundland population of the American Marten is the red fox. Other potential predators and competitors include black bears, Canada lynxes and coyotes.
Habitat loss and fragmentation from logging have resulted in populations being extirpated from many regions, and habitat loss and fragmentation are among the main threats to the Newfoundland population of the American Marten.
Members of the Newfoundland population of the American Marten may be caught in snares set for snowshoe hare and traps set for red fox, and incidental capture is a significant source of mortality. Incidental capture poses a particularly serious threat to marten recolonizing habitats outside protected areas.
The limited prey base on the island of Newfoundland represents another threat to this population. Introductions of prey species, in particular snowshoe hare and, recently, southern red-backed vole, may enhance the viability of the Newfoundland population of the American Marten. On the other hand, concurrent increases in predator populations may pose a threat.
Finally, habitat loss due to fire and insect damage, as well as human disturbance, could also be contributing, although to a lesser extent, to the decline of this small population
