Mammals · Carnivora · Mustelidae

Yellow-throated Marten

Martes flavigula

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The yellow-throated marten is the largest and most colourful of the martens: a chestnut coat with an intensely golden-yellow throat and chest and a black head and tail. It occupies an enormous range, from Pakistan to the Russian Far East and the Sunda islands. It is diurnal, highly active and omnivorous: it kills prey far larger than itself, including fawns, and also eats fruit, honey and nectar. Unlike almost all mustelids, it frequently hunts in pairs or threes.

Weight

1.6 kg – 5.7 kg

Size

50 cm – 72 cm

Lifespan

14 years

Diet

Omnivore

Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

RainforestTemperate forestMountainOmnivore Diurnal Rainforest Temperate forest Mountain Mammal

18countries 17parks28same family

Fun facts

GeneralIt hunts in pairs and can bring down deer calves far larger than itself.
It hunts in groups, which is unheard of in a mustelid: coordinated pairs or threes can bring down prey as large as a fawn or a young musk deer.
It has a sweet tooth: in Asia it is known for raiding beehives and eating nectar and ripe fruit, and its name in several local languages refers directly to honey.