The Beech Marten (Martes foina, Erxleben, 1777) belongs to the Mustelidae family of the Carnivora order. In Turkmenistan, it mainly inhabits mountainous regions. Its body length ranges from 38–59 cm, with a tail of 23–32 cm. Its fur varies from light yellow to light brown with a dense undercoat and is highly valued.
Recent studies in the Greater Balkan and Kopetdag Mountains have collected new bioecological data on the species. The marten is found across lowland to highland zones. In the Kopetdag State Nature Reserve, it has been observed in Germap, Murzedag, Rukhbat, Guryhowd, Garaýalchy forests, Bakja, as well as the mountainous areas of Dushakerek, Markov, Baharly, and Bekrewe.
The beech marten feeds on invertebrates, small mammals, reptiles, birds, and plant seeds and fruits. It is extremely agile, climbs trees quickly, and hunts rodents and bird chicks efficiently.
Motion-sensor cameras reveal that martens are most active at dusk and night, rarely seen during the day. They are usually solitary, sometimes found in pairs or with young. Observations in Kopetdag recorded interactions with foxes and tree-climbing behavior. Breeding begins in April, with 2–7 young born, residing in rock crevices or tree nests.
The species has natural predators such as foxes and competitors like wildcats. Its fearless hunting behavior, including predation on snakes, highlights its ecological adaptability.
Ongoing research in Turkmenistan continues to gather crucial data on the distribution, behavior, and ecological traits of the beech marten, supporting biodiversity conservation in mountainous ecosystems.
Source: mineco gov tm
