What strategy do American martens use to evade larger predators?

American martens use a strategy of climbing into trees to evade larger predators. This behavior takes advantage of their excellent climbing skills, allowing them to escape threats and find safety above ground. Their arboreal adaptations make them well-suited for maneuvering through tree branches, where they can avoid detection and create a safe vantage point away from ground-based predators. By utilizing trees as a refuge, martens are able to effectively reduce their risk of predation, as many larger predators are not as adept at climbing.

The other options do not apply as effectively to the marten’s survival strategy. While changing their diet could theoretically help with survival, it does not specifically address the issue of evading larger predators. Living in underground burrows is not typical for martens, as they primarily reside in wooded areas and prefer tree cavities or dense foliage for shelter. Running in open fields would expose them to predators without the opportunity for cover, making it a less viable escape strategy compared to climbing.