ROCKY MOUNTAIN PINE MARTEN
Martes caurina origenes
This little animal is close kin to the famous Russian Sable and has a valuable pelt or rich, dense fur. Expert climbers, they hunt through the woods and capture a good portion of their menu from the tree tops. Largely carnivorous the marten lives on small mammals and birds. Its main foods in Yellowstone are squirrels, chipmunks, mice, rabbits, grouse, and also some nuts, berries, fruits, insects or honey.
Mink
Fearless and pugnacious they frequently quarrel among themselves and do not hesitate to snarl or spit at man. One time a ranger was standing in front of a patrol cabin when a marten came bounding toward him spitting and snarling at every jump. To see what he would do the ranger made for the cabin door and the marten came right after him even to the cabin door. It was decided that they would be pretty tough to live with if they suddenly became as big as bears with an increase in disposition accordingly. A marten family quarrel sounds like a good cross section of an alley-cat serenade. Being extremely active they are able to elude most would-be enemies except possibly the Great Horned Owl.
The marten nest is usually in a hollow tree or rarely in a burrow, where the young, averaging 3 or 4 to a litter, are born late in April. It is said that the young are blind for about the four weeks after birth.
General description: A small animal, of weasel-like form, a little smaller and more slender than a house cat; head rather small with ears broad and rounded, tail bushy and cylindrical, about half as long as the head and body. Fur soft, rich yellowish brown; legs, feet and tail dark brown; buffy patches on throat and chest. Total length 25 to 28 inches, weight 1½ to 4 pounds. Males largest.
Where found: Fairly common throughout wooded sections of the park but are shy and seldom seen, especially near habitations except isolated cabins where they sometimes become rather tame.
PORCUPINE
Erethizon epixanthum
The Yellow-haired Porcupine of Yellowstone occurs all over the park. Being an unsociable sort of fellow he is usually found alone, except during the mating season or when the young are yet with their mother. He is a common animal but seldom seen.