Found everywhere from the lowland plains right up to an altitude of 2000-2500 m, it prefers open spaces, particularly rocky ones and gravel bars, sloping faces and river banks. It frequents barns and the attics of houses, especially those that are seldom used. It is physically similar to the marten, its coat is greyish-brown - blond. Its length is 60-75 cm, plus a tail-length of 20-22 cm, with a shoulder height of 12 cm; its weight varies from 1.3 to 2.3 kg. It hunts alone at night and, in winter, it is exclusively carnivorous (small rodents and birds). In spring it starts to eat more eggs and nestlings. In summer-autumn, it consumes large quantities of fruit. It has also been known to eat amphibians and small reptiles.