Discover Croatia's National Emblem - The Common Marten
Let's Chat: The Remarkable Croatian National Animal and the Demise of the Kuna Currency
October 15, 2023 - Croatia may not have a mighty lion or a mythical unicorn as its national animal, but it's downright smart and kick-ass, right in its own right. We're talking about the marten, or the kuna to the locals.
The kuna said its final goodbyes to the currency hall of fame in January of this year when Croatia officially joined the Eurozone, checking off a strategic political objective that had been on the agenda since the country's EU accession in July 2013. For many, the scrapping of the kuna and the arrival of the EU's common currency left a bittersweet taste in their mouths.
But Why the Kuna? And What's a Marten?
The marten is a weasel-like creature and belongs to the mustelidae family. Cunning, quick, and highly intelligent, the marten is a naturally secretive creature that becomes most active as the sun begins to set.
Email: *
Back in the medieval days, marten pelts served as a form of payment for all sorts of goodies and services. A deeper delve into the marten's history reveals its significance as a currency during Roman times, with its pelts often collected as tax. The old Croatian word, marturina, comes from there. In Dalmatia, Slavonia in eastern Croatia, and the Croatian Littoral, marten pelts were the primary currency traded for a considerable timeframe.
Marten Sightings in Croatia Today
First name:
Today, European pine martens reside in the forests of many areas within Croatia. Given their lightning-fast speed and stealthy movements, you might mistake them for squirrels if you don't get a good enough look. The marten sports a coat of dark brown fur with a cream-colored patch near the neck and chest, making it resemble a weasel more than a squirrel.
One fascinating fact about the marten is its partial-retractable claws. This allows martens to move effortlessly through the treetops, climbing trunks, and navigating branches like squirrels. If you're spending quality time exploring Croatia's dense, forested areas, you may have a better chance of spotting a marten high up in the trees keeping a watchful eye on you.
Last name:
Besides the pine marten, stone martens are also found in several rocky, karst areas of Croatia.
The Enemy of the Marten
Gender:
Martens are admirably adaptable creatures and have a knack for evading most threats, but they remain vulnerable to conflicts with humans, habitat loss, and threats posed by larger carnivores such as red foxes, grey wolves, birds of prey like buzzards, sparrowhawks, kestrels, and owls, and even the brown bear with its infamous bad temper.
Male Female
The Croatian National Animal: The Law's Darling
Though marten hunting has been a common practice in Europe, including Croatia, marten hunting is now completely off-limits in Croatia and the marten is a legally protected native species. Whether it's seen on coins or served as the basis for an entire currency, the Croatian national animal carries the full power of the law.
Country:
Stay in the Loop!
Don't be left out of the loop! Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates and interesting tidbits about all things Croatia!
Birthday:
Footnote: [1] Exchange Rate Data Source [2] Croatian National Bank Currency History [3] The History of the Croatian Kuna [4] Croatia Joins Eurozone
Related Articles:
- VIDEO: A Giant European Snake Makes a Splash in Croatian Waters
- Oldest Domesticated Dogs Discovered in Croatia, Over 7,500 Years Old
- Sailor from Vis Island Discovers a Crocodile on His Boat
- Philosophy Faculty in Osijek, Croatia's First to Accept Students' Dogs
- The marten, also known as the kuna to locals, was a significant currency in Croatia during medieval times, particularly in Dalmatia, Slavonia, and the Croatian Littoral, where marten pelts were traded as a primary medium of exchange.
- Despite their vulnerable status due to human encroachment and threats from larger carnivores, European and stone martens can still be found residing in forests and rocky areas within Croatia today.
- In an effort to protect the Croatian national animal, marten hunting has been completely outlawed in Croatia, and the marten is now a legally protected native species.
