A possibility of tool use in a Japanese marten, Martes melampus

Abstract

Tool use by animals, traditionally studied mainly in captive primates due to its relevance to human evolution, has been investigated in both free-ranging and captive mammals. Here, I present a report on tree bark and branch use behaviours by a free-ranging Japanese marten (Martes melampus). The marten put its face in a water-filled container, looking for something, and then it proceeded to make a scooping motion with a bark held in its mouth. Subsequently, it picked up a branch with its mouth and tried to scoop something from the water with it. Upon inspecting the container approximately 2 weeks later, I found a larva belonging to the family Syrphidae. While it is unclear if the marten was trying to catch this larva, its behaviour resembled reach extension behaviour seen in chimpanzees. The use of bark or branches may provide an advantage by allowing access to objects in hard-to-reach positions.