Nilgiri

The Nilgiri marten can only be found in southern India. They like evergreen forests, montane forests, grassland mosaics, acacia, coffee, tea, cardamom, and wattle plantations . They are skilled hunters that are beneficial to rodent population control. Sadly, due to hunting, trapping, habitat destruction, human interference, and vehicle strike (being hit by vehicles) they now only number around 1,000. They are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

First the Stats… Scientific name: Martes gwatkinsii Weight: Up to 4.5 lbs. Length: Up to 1.7 feet, plus up to a 12 inch tail Lifespan: Up to 15 years

Now on to the Facts! 1.) Nilgriri martens are diurnal (active during the day).

2.) These critters are social and stick together in small groups.

3.) They will cooperatively hunt in groups.

4.) Nilgiris are primarily arboreal (spend most of their lives in trees). However, they do descend to the ground, at times.

5.) A group of martens is sometimes called a richness or a richesse.

But wait, there’s more on the Nilgiri marten! 6.) These omnivores (eat plant and animal matter) feast on rats , mice , birds, and insects ( cicadas are a favorite), and various fruit. They have also been seen attempting to take down a mouse deer .

7.) Due to their diet of fruit, these martens are an important keystone animal, in that their feces (poop) helps germinate new seed growth and they help control rodent populations.

Did you know…? They are named after the collector Reynolds Gwatkins who gave a specimen to Colonel W.H. Sykes.

8.) Due to the fact that they can, in lean times, prey on chickens, they are sometimes trapped and killed by farmers.

9.) These critters have no natural predators, sans humans.

10.) Although the breeding habits are not fully understood, it is assumed that females birth up to 3 kits, after up to a 9 month gestation (pregnancy). This is based, in part, on observations or other marten species.

Now a Short Nilgiri Marten Video!

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Learn more about all kinds of cool critters, right here ! toolTips('.classtoolTips14','

Gestation is the process of carrying or being carried in the womb between conception and birth. In other words, pregnancy.'); toolTips('.classtoolTips16','

Predation is the ecological process by which an animal (or an organism) kills and feeds on another. The animal that kills to feed is called a predator . The 1 that is killed to be eaten is called prey.

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Stemming from the Latin word arboreus, which means "pertaining to trees", arboreal creatures spend all or most of their lives in or around trees and tall shrubs. They seldom venture to the ground, if at all.'); toolTips('.classtoolTips28','

Stemming from the Latin word arboreus, which means "pertaining to trees", arboreal creatures spend all or most of their lives in or around trees and tall shrubs. They seldom venture to the ground, if at all.'); toolTips('.classtoolTips29','

Coming from the Latin term omnis (meaning all or everything) and vorare (meaning to eat or devour), omnivores are animals that consume plant and animal matter. Some animals that fit into this category are pigs , dogs , coatis , bears , hedgehogs , chimpanzees , and more.'); toolTips('.classtoolTips29','

Coming from the Latin term omnis (meaning all or everything) and vorare (meaning to eat or devour), omnivores are animals that consume plant and animal matter. Some animals that fit into this category are pigs , dogs , coatis , bears , hedgehogs , chimpanzees , and more.'); toolTips('.classtoolTips31','

An animal that falls into this category is active during the day. Animals that fit this description typically use sight for hunting prey. Others, like turtles , are active during the day as they need the sun\'s rays to aid in the production of vitamin D, which is needed to help process calcium and prevent metabolic bone disease. Hummingbirds rely on the sun as most of the nectar they gather comes from flowers that are open during the day. Cows , dogs , elephants , butterflies , and squirrels , for example, are diurnal.');

Nilgiri

The Elusive Nilgiri Marten