When it comes to martens, weasels and polecats, you have to look very closely to discover differences. We have put together a few characteristics for you that will help you distinguish between the three species.
To the point
- Martens are usually larger and heavier than weasels and polecats
- Weasel smallest and lightest
- Differences can mainly be seen in the fur
- Pay attention to food, lifestyle and living space
- As a rule, only martens go into attics
Table of contents
- Size
- Weight
- fur
- food
- habitat
- way of life
- frequently asked Questions
Size
A striking difference between marten, Weasel and Polecat is body size. The marten usually grows larger than its counterparts. The tail can also become significantly longer. But recognizing the species requires a good eye.
| marten species | body length | Tail length |
|---|---|---|
| marten | 40 to 55 cm (stone marten) 45 to 58 cm (pine marten) |
20 to 30 cm (stone marten) 16 to 28 cm (pine marten) |
| Weasel | 11 to 26 cm (mouse weasel) 17 to 33 cm (ermine) |
2 to 8 cm (mouse weasel) 4 to 12 cm (ermine) |
| Polecat | 30 to 46 cm (males) 20 to 38 cm (females) |
7 to 19 cm (males) up to max. 15 cm (female) |
Weight
Distinguishing martens from weasels and polecats at a glance based on their weight is more difficult. Due to the different body sizes, this is usually evenly distributed. The larger the animal, the heavier it is without appearing fatter. Only the pine marten appears slimmer because it is lighter but slightly longer than the others Marten species.
| marten species | Weight male | Weight female |
|---|---|---|
| marten | 1,500 to 2,500 grams (stone marten) 1,000 to 1,800 grams (pine marten) |
approx. 1,500 grams (stone marten) 800 to 1,200 grams (pine marten) |
| Weasel | 60 to 250 grams (mouse weasel) 150 to 300 grams (Hermlin) |
30 to 60 grams (mouse weasel) 50 to 175 grams (ermine) |
| Polecat | 400 to 1,700 grams | 200 to 900 grams |
Did you knowthat the largest and heaviest marten among the wolverines (Gulo gulo) was found in Northern Europe? It weighed just under 30 kilograms and was over a meter tall.
fur
In order to be able to distinguish martens, weasels and polecats based on their fur, a closer look is required. Some of them are very similar, especially in the basic colors. They can only be identified based on certain abnormalities and typical drawings.
marten
- Stone marten: brown, gray-white undercoat, white spot in the throat area possibly extending to the front legs, hair on the soles of the feet
- Pine marten: chestnut to dark brown, coat change in spring and autumn (short, dull hair in summer, long hair in winter), yellow, rounded spot in the throat area; strong hair on the soles of the feet
Weasel
- typical: brown tail, brown feet, brown fur on the back and top of the head; White belly area is a clear distinguishing feature from the marten
- Mouse weasel: clear distinguishing feature compared to martens and polecats: jagged lines between color transitions from back to belly; White winter fur only in extreme winter cold
- Ermine: white winter fur with a black tail tip
Polecat
- Dark brown to black fur with a yellowish shimmering underfur, white belly like that of weasels and white throat patch like those of martens are missing
- Coat change in spring and autumn: short, fine fur in summer, dense, longer fur in winter
- Clear distinguishing features: white to cream-colored markings on the snout, eyes and ear tips
food
All marten species are predominantly carnivores. However, there can be differences based on the type of food, which means martens, polecats and weasels can be identified.
| marten species | food |
|---|---|
| marten | Omnivores, especially Birds rodents, frogs, Bird eggs, Insects, Chicken (stone marten) Nuts and berries (pine marten in autumn) |
| Weasel | Birds, insects and rodents Fish and reptiles no nuts or berries |
| Polecat | Frogs, Rats and fish |
habitat
All three species only have partially the same habitats. Martens, polecats and weasels can only be distinguished from one another if their location is not part of the others' habitat, as described below:
- Marten: only species of marten that enters and enters houses Attics life; also in walls, barns, in rocks, under piles of stones, stone martens like to live in tree hollows
- Weasel: like martens, urban settlements, crevices in walls and rocks and under piles of stones; but also on dry wild meadows, fields, in sparse forests, under bushes; as the only one of the three species but also in tree and ground holes as well as tree roots
- Polecat: like weasels in forests, but more at the edge of the forest, under bushes, in fields, on meadows; They are the only ones to live in ditches and on densely overgrown stream and river banks
Tip: If you don't know which of the three species it is, you should check your garden soil, especially in the lawn and near tree trunks. Are there any excavated ones there? holes, it is most likely a weasel/mouse weasel that is searching there Voles seeks.
way of life
Differences between martens, weasels and polecats can also be seen in their lifestyle. However, this requires careful observation.
- Marten: nocturnal; Pine martens jump up to 4 meters; Stone martens prefer ground contact; smaller territories than weasels and polecats
- Weasel: diurnal and nocturnal, ermine summer day and winter night activity and on the move from dusk onwards; significantly larger territories up to 200 hectares
- Polecat: also nocturnal like martens; mostly on the ground; can swim and dive
frequently asked Questions
One method of expulsion is noise, such as loud music or a sound-producing marten deterrent. Repellent products that produce an unpleasant smell for the marten are suitable as “silent” expulsion methods. They are available as a spray and powder, although the scent of the latter does not disappear as quickly as with the spray. It is also necessary to disinfect the martens' habitats so that they are not attracted to their own scent again.
The best known are real martens (Martes), which include the tree marten (Martes martes) and stone martens (Martes foina). And then there is the other marten genus the weasel (Mustela) and the subspecies of the polecat. The most well-known weasels are the mouse weasel (Mustela nivalis) and the stoat (Mustela erminea). The only polecats native here are the European polecat (Mustela putorius), the ferret (Mustela putorius furo) and the critically endangered European mink (Mustela lutreola). But also the European one Badger (Meles meles) and the otter (Lutra lutra) are marten species.
This is clearly the stone marten. He is not picky when it comes to living space and he also makes do with engine compartments. Cable eating is often a reaction of anger or aggression towards a member of the same species who has ventured close to its marked territory.
The life expectancy of martens is between 3 and 10 years, although pine martens can live up to 16 years. However, this age is rarely reached in the wild. Weasels also often fall victim to their predators at a young age, so their average life expectancy has fallen to 1 to 3 years. Without predators, mouse weasels can live up to 5 years and stoats up to 7 years. Polecats have a life expectancy of around 6 years.
