Nilgiri Marten

The Nilgiri marten (Martes gwatkinsii) is a slender and graceful mammal that is well-adapted to its semi-arboreal lifestyle. Like other martens, the Nilgiri marten is a medium-sized carnivore with wedge-shaped, rounded ears, a triangular face, moderately long body and short legs. This species is covered in soft, thick, dark brown fur, except for a striking yellow bib on its throat. It also has a bushy tail which helps it to balance, and large paws which are furry on the sole. The Nilgiri marten is very closely related to the yellow-throated marten (Martes falvigula). The Nilgiri marten and the yellow-throated marten have previously been classified as the same species by scientists. Little is known about the Nilgiri marten specifically but, like other martens in the family Mustelidae, it is an extremely agile creature. It is thought to use its strong, semi-retractable claws for clinging onto trees, and its elongated tail for stability and balance while climbing and leaping high in the treetops. Martens are generally considered active all year round and do not seem to have a set sleeping pattern, appearing to be active during the day and night. They are usually solitary animals, apart from during the summer when breeding takes place. Martens are generally polygamous breeders, and although the precise gestation period for the Nilgiri marten is not known, in most other marten species it lasts for around eight to nine months. The size of the litter can vary from one to five kits, which are born with very little fur and are blind and deaf for the first few days of life. The litter is usually weaned after about seven weeks. The young kits are able to hunt and kill their own prey by the time they are three to four months old.