Young Pine Marten

[GetCarter]

As some may know, we have a bunch of Pine Martens in the forest here (NW Highlands). Last month we heard from an animal rescue centre that they had a baby orphaned Pine marten - could we release him here.

Long story short - he arrived, and we soon realised he had dodgy back legs, so maybe not an orphan, but kicked out by ruthless mum!

Anyway, having spent his formative weeks surrounded by people and a lot of dogs, he's stupidly (and dangerously) tame.

So he now spends his time playing with our dog (!), and as he'll never be able to climb trees/hunt has been semi-adopted by my better half.

[interstellar]

Well isn't he cute!

[Bisonhead]

Adorable wee thing! Will your pooch be ok sharing its food though??
I’ve heard they are very clever animals as well. Will be interesting to see where it ends up, especially when the weather gets bad!
Best of luck to it…and you!

[isaldiri]

They are deceptively cute critters it has to be said which as with most of the rest of the weasel family....

not a great look for that rescue centre though that they didn't notice that before dropping that cub on you. hope he manages doesn't despite being semi-domesticated now anyway and fingers crossed for him

[Bisonhead]

Part of the Mustelid family? I think the same as a honey badger?

[Mobile Chicane]

He will be imprinted on humans to some extent. It is possible to extinguish this response by withdrawing contact, but you will still need to provide food, unless he is capable of surviving by himself. Probably not.

[hairy v]

Gorgeous!

[Nightmare]

Amazing! Please take video of him playing with the dog

[GetCarter]

Nightmare said:

Amazing! Please take video of him playing with the dog

Here ya go. This was the first time they properly met. Bertie dog wasn't at all sure what to make of him!

https://stevecarter.com/latest/Ring_June1_25.mp4

[nordboy]

GetCarter said:

Nightmare said:

Amazing! Please take video of him playing with the dog

Here ya go. This was the first time they properly met. Bertie dog wasn't at all sure what to make of him!

https://stevecarter.com/latest/Ring_June1_25.mp4

See what you mean about the rear legs. Tell you what though, what a brave little bugger. Didn't get scared of a massive animal, compared to his size, moving quickly around him. In fact, to think 'I'll have a play with this' is amazing.

[Smollet]

Bisonhead said:

Part of the Mustelid family? I think the same as a honey badger?

Well known for their cuteness

[RC1807]

Bisonhead said:

Part of the Mustelid family? I think the same as a honey badger?

They love eating cables under cars…..they’re prevalent in Luxembourg and the dealers do a roaring trade replacing looms

[Nightmare]

nordboy said:

GetCarter said:

Nightmare said:

Amazing! Please take video of him playing with the dog

Here ya go. This was the first time they properly met. Bertie dog wasn't at all sure what to make of him!

https://stevecarter.com/latest/Ring_June1_25.mp4

See what you mean about the rear legs. Tell you what though, what a brave little bugger. Didn't get scared of a massive animal, compared to his size, moving quickly around him. In fact, to think 'I'll have a play with this' is amazing.

Thanks @getcarter. This is just brilliant. Please take more video when you can!

Also surprised he’s totally unbothered by the dog - did the rescue place have loads or something? Honestly zero survival instincts and more than a hint of honey badger in the attitude!

What does Bertie think now?

[GetCarter]

Nightmare said:

Thanks @getcarter. This is just brilliant. Please take more video when you can!

Also surprised he s totally unbothered by the dog - did the rescue place have loads or something? Honestly zero survival instincts and more than a hint of honey badger in the attitude!

What does Bertie think now?

Yep, the rescue centre has loads of dogs. He must have mingled with them to be so unafraid.

Bertie looks for the Marten every time he's in the garden... he just wants to play (but is also bemused). I should add the 'garden' is an 18 acre forest, and the Marten can go wherever he wants (no fences that would keep him in), but he seem to stay close to the house. Food probably being a good reason - my wife puts some out and the ring camera catches him eating it. There is no way he could hunt for food himself, he can't climb or pounce (Pine Marten's go to behaviour).

[Simpo Two]

Nightmare said:

Also surprised he s totally unbothered by the dog - did the rescue place have loads or something? Honestly zero survival instincts and more than a hint of honey badger in the attitude!

I did wonder what might happen if the PM ever meets a serious ratter.

[AndyAudi]

We used to see wild one on the cameras, it had no issue sauntering past dog kennel they are bold creatures.

Ridiculously protected though - think one of the highest levels of protection for wild animals in U.K., pretty much illegal to even handle a dead one….

[Nightmare]

Simpo Two said:

I did wonder what might happen if the PM ever meets a serious ratter.

Yeah or a fox - it wouldn’t go well I don’t think.

Hopefully neither of those will come to pass and OP and wife can continue to feed him. He’s clearly not going to have an impact on future Martens so he should just have as happy and relaxed a life as possible in my opinion

[GetCarter]

Nightmare said:

Simpo Two said:

I did wonder what might happen if the PM ever meets a serious ratter.

Yeah or a fox - it wouldn t go well I don t think.

Hopefully neither of those will come to pass and OP and wife can continue to feed him. He s clearly not going to have an impact on future Martens so he should just have as happy and relaxed a life as possible in my opinion

Are you my wife? ;0)

[Nightmare]

You have a tame Pine Marten…..I would very much like to apply for the position of wife!

[Ezra]

RC1807 said:

Bisonhead said:

Part of the Mustelid family? I think the same as a honey badger?

They love eating cables under cars ..they re prevalent in Luxembourg and the dealers do a roaring trade replacing looms

I lived in Switzerland in the late 90's and was strongly advised to add to my car insurance the "Marten" cover for exactly this reason.