How to tell a pine marten from a mink or feral ferret

Our native pine marten, the non-native American mink and the feral ferret are all related and belong to the Family Mustelidae. They are known as mustelids.

All three animals have a long thin body, which enables them to follow their prey down small tunnels and burrows and, in the case of the pine marten, to gain access to buildings or pens through small openings in rotted timbers or wire netting.

They can be difficult to distinguish from each other, especially when, as is usually the case, they are seen only briefly and in poor light.