Humboldt marten facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Humboldt marten |
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| Individual on tree in Six Rivers National Forest | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Mustelidae |
| Genus: | Martes |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
M. a. humboldtensis
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| Trinomial name | |
| Martes americana humboldtensis ( Grinnell and Dixon, 1926)
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The Humboldt marten (Martes americana humboldtensis) is a special kind of American marten. It's a small, furry animal related to weasels. These martens are very rare and live in the tall, ancient redwood forests along the coasts of California and Oregon. They like forests with lots of thick bushes and plants. They are considered an endangered species, which means there aren't many left in the wild.
Where Do Humboldt Martens Live?
Humboldt martens are very rare. There are fewer than 500 of them left in the world. They live in just a few places in coastal California and Oregon. Scientists have found them in four main groups. One group lives in northern California, and another lives right on the border between California and Oregon. There's also a group in southern Oregon. The last group lives in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.
Scientists think that the martens in northern California and southern Oregon might be connected. This means they could be part of one bigger group. But more research is needed to be sure.
Why Are Humboldt Martens Endangered?
For a long time, people thought the Humboldt marten was extinct. But then, in 1996, they were rediscovered in the Six Rivers National Forest. This was exciting news!
However, these martens still face many dangers. The biggest problems are that their numbers are not growing much. Also, many martens die because of human activities. This includes getting caught in traps. They also get hit by cars on roads.
To help protect them, California banned trapping martens in the 1950s. Oregon also stopped trapping them in certain areas in 2019. In 2019, California officially listed the Humboldt marten as an endangered species. Then, in 2020, the United States government also listed them as "Federally Threatened." This means they get special protection across the country.
What Do Humboldt Martens Eat?
Scientists are still learning a lot about Humboldt martens. For example, they don't know much about what these martens eat. They also want to learn more about the exact types of places they need to live. Researchers are working together to find out more. This information will help them protect these rare animals.
