European pine marten vs Tiny Earthstar

Martes martes compared with Geastrum minimum

Key Differences

European pine marten is Critically Endangered while Tiny Earthstar is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	European pine marten	Tiny Earthstar
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order	Carnivora (Carnivorans)	Geastrales (Geastrales)
Family	Mustelidae (Weasels & Otters)	Geastraceae
Genus	Martes	Geastrum
Species	Martes martes	Geastrum minimum

Conservation Status

European pine marten

CR — Critically Endangered

Tiny Earthstar

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	European pine marten	Tiny Earthstar
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

European pine marten

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate coniferous forests, and Mediterranean forests and woodlands within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries). Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Tiny Earthstar

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Widely distributed across Europe (4 countries), North America (United States), and South America (Brazil). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

European pine marten

European pine marten (Martes martes) is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List. Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild due to severe population decline and habitat loss.