Taille : 40-54 cm plus 20-30 cm pour la queue (adulte). Hauteur au garrot : 12 cm.
Poids : 1,1-2,3 kg (adulte).
Diagnose : La Fouine a une silhouette souple et longiligne se finissant par une longue queue touffue. Son pelage est brun-gris peu dense, laissant apparaitre les poils de bourre, plus clairs que les poils de jarre. Le pelage de la gorge est blanc et se prolonge sur le haut des pattes antérieures. On parle alors de bavette. Sa truffe est rosâtre et ses pelotes plantaires ne sont pas recouvertes de poils. Détermination : Moyennement difficile.
Espèces proches : Martes martes (Linnaeus, 1758). La Martre porte une bavette jaune-orangée qui se prolonge entre les pattes antérieurs (et non sur le haut des pattes antérieures). Sa truffe est noir et son pelage plus dense. Des poils recouvrent ses pelotes plantaires.
Période d'observation : Observable toute l'année, la nuit ou en soirée. Biologie-éthologie : La Fouine s'accouple en été et met bas après 56 jours de gestation. Le nombre de petits par portée varie de 1 à 7. Carnivore, elle est opportuniste et s'alimente de petits mammifères, d'oiseaux, d'œufs, d'insectes mais aussi de nombreux fruits en été.
Biogéographique et écologie : La Fouine est présente en Europe et en Asie central. Elle affectionne différents types d'habitats (paysages ouverts, agricoles, rocheux, fermés…) et en France, on la retrouve fréquemment en ville. Elle peut ainsi s'installer dans les greniers et les combles des habitations.
Référence bibliographique : Haffner P. & Savouré-Soubelet A. 2015. Sur la piste des Mammifères sauvages. Coll. L'amateur de la Nature. Dunod, Paris. 208 pp.
A. Savouré-Soubelet(UMS 2006 Patrimoine Naturel (AFB / CNRS / MNHN)),2015
The map presents a summary at the 10 x 10 km grid of the observation data for the species transmitted to the SINP. These data have been subjected to validation filters.
Distribution map from the Atlas of Departmental Biodiversity and Marine Sectors program
Current distribution in metropolitan France
The map presents a reference distribution layer of the species at the scale of departments and marine sectors. The presence and absence data were established by expertise within a network of partners. This reference distribution is used in the validation process of the SINP data at the INPN level.
Distribution map from the Atlas of Departmental Biodiversity and Marine Sectors program
Certain presence
Corresponds to a report on the basis of at least one observation proved within a period of 10 years (20 years for little-known invertebrates) preceding the year and no presumption of extinction since obtaining the last data nor doubt on reproductive and implemented nature of this population. For migratory species, the presence indicated concerns areas of reproduction.
Probable presence
This status is based on one or more of the following criteria:
search of species incomplete but presence of supportive environments;
ecology of the species consistent with the hypothesis of his presence;
the last reliable sighting is older than 10 years compared to the reference date, no recent specific research and no presumption of extinction from that date [vertebrates, invertebrates and plants well studied (rhopalocera, grasshoppers, dragonflies ...)] ;
the last reliable observation being older than 20 years, no recent specific research and no presumption of extinction from that date [poorly known taxa: fungus, many invertebrates...].
Probable or certain absence
This point covers the absence, more difficult by nature to demonstrate than presence. This status is based on one or more of the following criteria:
intensive but unsuccessful targeted research;
lack of adequate environments;
unobserved species while its presence is easily detected;
unlikely presence for historical or biogeographical reasons.
This status must be assigned to a department in which the presence of the species is casual.
Absence due to a proven extinction
Particular case of absence due to a proven extinction less than a half century ago (older disappearances are treated as "no probable or definite").
No information
In the state of knowledge, we can not comment on the presence or absence in the current department. This is the default status when not comprised in one of the previous categories or whenever there is doubt.