- I'm Coyote Peterson, and hanging out up in that tree
is one of the wiliest members of the weasel family.
I'm going to climb up there and try to get it down
so you guys can get a closer look.
(adventure themed music)
Exploring the wilds of Montana is unlike
any other experience in North America.
Your odds of seeing animals in their natural environment
are pretty good.
Today I'm headed into a high altitude pine forest
to work with a member of the weasel family
that you probably have never heard of
and I bet you've never seen.
Get ready, she is adorable, but don't be fooled
she is also one of the most voracious predators
in the forest ecosystem.
Ever since I was a kid I've been an absolute cat
at climbing trees, today's going to be
a little different, though
because I'm going up there with the
American Pine Martin.
This is a member of the weasel family,
so they're pretty wily.
Related to the wolverine, the badger
and the skunk.
I see her, she's right up here.
I'm going to go up there, try to get her down
so I can show you guys some of her coolest features.
This tree's dead, so it should give you guys
some good shots.
Hopefully I can get a gentle handle
just around her midsection.
Up a tree after a Pine Martin.
(suspenseful music)
She's kicking bark down in my face.
Probably a good defense tactic if I was a predator.
(whispering to self) Alright.
I'm going to make a reach for her
and I'm going to be as gentle as possible
so I don't risk taking a bite.
Got her.
Woo!
Now the real challenge, getting back down.
I've worked with venomous snakes,
snapping turtles, and a number of different other creatures,
my heart is racing right now climbing up a tree
holding on to a Pine Martin.
Alright. here we go, ready?
I'm jumping down.
(sigh of relief)
Look at her, how beautiful is that little mustelid?
One of the coolest features about the Pine Martin
is they are the only member of the weasel family
with semi-retractable claws.
That's how these crazy little slinkys can jump all over
in the tree branches up there.
It's very rare that you would ever see a Pine Martin
on the ground, they live arboreal lives.
They spend most of their time up there hunting for squirrels
which is their primary source of food.
What they will do is chase squirrels through the trees,
lunge, actually can grab them out of mid-air,
and then they want to bite to the back of the neck.
You see those long little canine teeth there
are perfect for inflicting that death wound
and then of course, they have their meal.
See this real light orange-ish coloration
underneath her throat right there?
One distinct sign that will easily allow you
to identify a Pine Martin if you ever see one
out in the wild.
I just want to try to stay as calm as I can right now.
If I stay calm, she will stay calm.
This is a Pine Martin that's being raised in captivity
the only way that I'm able to climb up into this tree,
bring her down, and give you guys an up close look
is because she's used to being around humans.
You could never approach and go after
one of these animals in the wild.
She is an ambassador for her species
promoting conservation and an all around love
of mustelids.
Yeah, aren't you cute?
Look at those ears, they have incredible hearing.
This is one of the most agile members of the weasel family
and they do have beautiful coats.
Unbelievably soft, they've got a coarser guard hair
on the outside, and if you feel up underneath here
really soft and fluffy.
Most of the time you can find Pine Martins
in any high altitude environment.
They're sticking to the pine trees,
hence the name Pine Martin, and they are able to
tough through some of the coldest temperatures
here in Montana.
What an amazing experience, climbing in a pine tree
with the American Pine Martin.
I want to know what your favorite member
of the weasel family is?
Tell me about it in the comment section below.
I'm Coyote Peterson, be brave, stay wild,
we'll see you on the next adventure.
Alright, you ready to go?
Let's get the heck out of here!
If you thought that was one wild adventure,
check out these other animal encounters!
And don't forget, subscribe to follow me and the crew
on this season of Breaking Trail.
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(animal sounds)