Näätän

Näätän is a Finnish term that primarily refers to the pine marten (Martes martes). It is a member of the weasel family, Mustelidae, and is a native predator found in the boreal forests of Finland and other parts of Europe and Asia. The pine marten is a small, agile carnivore with a long, slender body, a bushy tail, and short legs. Its fur is typically dark brown, with a lighter patch on the throat.

In Finland, the näätän plays a role in controlling populations of small mammals, birds, and insects. They are known for their arboreal lifestyle, spending much of their time in trees, where they hunt and build their dens. Their diet consists of voles, squirrels, birds' eggs, and fruits. The näätän is a solitary animal, active mainly at night.

The term "näätän" can also, in some contexts, refer more broadly to other members of the genus Martes, such as the European polecat or the sable, although the pine marten is the most common association in Finland. Historically, the fur of the näätän was valued, and trapping was a significant activity. Today, while still present in the wild, conservation efforts focus on maintaining its natural habitat.