European Pine Marten

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Pine_Marten

The European Pine Marten (Martes martes), also known as Pineten, baum marten, or sweet marten, is an animal native to Northern Europe belonging to the mustelid family, which also includes mink, otter, badger, wolverine and weasel. It is about the size of a domestic cat. Its body is up to 53 cm in length (21 inches), and its bushy tail can be 25 cm (10 inches). Males are slightly larger than females; on average a marten weighs around 1.5 kg (3.5 lb). Their fur is usually light to dark brown and grows longer and silkier during the winter months. They have a cream to yellow colored "bib" marking on their throats.

Their habitats are usually well-wooded areas. European Martens usually make their own dens in hollow trees or scrub-covered fields. Martens are the only mustelids with semi-retractable claws. This enables them to lead more arboreal lifestyles, such as climbing or running on tree branches, although they are also relatively quick runners on the ground. They are mainly active at night and dusk. They have small rounded, highly sensitive ears and sharp teeth for eating small mammals, birds, insects, frogs, and carrion. They have also been known to eat berries, bird's eggs, meat, nuts and honey. European Martens are territorial animals, they mark their range by depositing feces in prominent locations.

Although they are preyed upon occasionally by golden eagles and even more rarely by red foxes, humans are the largest threat to European Pine Martens. Martens are prized for their very fine fur, and loss of habitat leading to fragmentation, persecution by gamekeepers, human disturbance, illegal poisoning and shooting have caused a considerable decline in the European Pine Marten's population. In the United Kingdom, European Pine Martens and their dens are offered full protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and the Environmental Protection Act.

Pine Martens hunt in the tops of the pine trees and will sometimes find their way into your attic. Don't worry if you hear animals scratching around above your ceiling - you have not been infested by rats or mice - just a visiting pine marten which may be sheltering from the rain and cold. Or he may be hiding some almonds to return to later. From my experience they do no harm but being carnivores will eat mice and insects.