Latin Name: Gulo gulo, meaning "glutton"
Habitat: Mainland Alaska, Russia, Canada, and Greenland
Classification: Mammal, omnivore
The wolverine, also known as the devil bear, woods devil, and carcajou, is the largest terrestrial member of the weasel family. Adult males grow to lengths of 3 to 4 feet and can weigh anywhere between 15 and 45 pounds. Most wolverines live for as little as 5 to 7 years. Surviving predominantly in the forested areas of interior of North America and Russia, the wolverine's ferocious reputation can likely be attributed to its tenacious drive for survival.
Wolverines are scarce, shy, and frequently unnoticed by predators, prey, and humans alike. Like their relatives, the weasels, wolverines have scent glands that they use to mark their territory. Single wolverines often range hundreds of miles to hunt for food. In short, you could live for years in the Interior of Alaska and never see a wolverine. However, you may recognize its smell from time to time.
Think about it: Why do animals mark their territory?
Contrary to popular myths, wolverines do not normally attack large animals or humans. They feast mostly on carrion, the carcasses of dead animals that have been left by larger animals such as bears and wolves. However, when food is scarce, the wolverine is not picky. It will eat anything from berries to small rodents like squirrels, birds, hares, and voles. Wolverines have been known to attack larger animals such as caribou, though this is rare. They are clumsy and slow over long ranges, and usually cannot chase down large prey. When they do hunt caribou, wolverines are most successful when ambushing their prey at short range. They hide in brush and on rocks, before pouncing on their meals. If a wolverine closes quickly, it can quickly damage its meal by ripping and biting at vital organs and flesh.
Think about it: How do wolverines hunt?
Wolverines can chew through frozen meat and bone with their powerful jaws and sharp teeth. Their long claws are curved and well-suited for killing prey and ravaging carcasses. Powerful hind legs and broad paws give wolverines balance and speed over snow at short distances. They have thick bodies and dark brown fur that fades gray at their broad heads, then black at their muzzles. Two light brown stripes flank their fur on their sides and end at their bushy tails. The wolverine's small, beady eyes provide poor vision, perhaps another reason why they are unlikely to chase prey at great distances. Female wolverines are generally smaller than the males, growing at most to around 30 pounds.
Think about it: Even though wolverines don't see very well, they still manage to survive. What other senses serve them well?
Wolverines can mate and give birth by their second year. Male and female wolverines are only together in the summer months of the mating season. Female wolverines do not give birth to their litters until late fall and early spring when they are healthiest and food is most plentiful. The litters are generally made of 1 to 4 kits, or baby wolverines. Although kits are blind at birth, they develop quickly. Within six months the kits are capable and ready to survive on their own. They leave their mothers and grow to full size within a year.
Think about it: Imagine if human babies grew to full size by their first birthday!
Wolverines are most ferocious when defending their food. When food is scarce, they become powerful and desperate hunters. Though they are sometimes hunted by wolves, wolverines do not have any particular enemies. Anything, whether human or otherwise, will find itself in grave danger when coming between a wolverine and its meal.
Think about it: Would you steal a cookie from a wolverine?
Though Alaska Natives never wasted the whole of the animal, wolverine fur was prize material. The soft, warm texture provides lining for coats and hoods. The hair is durable and resists frost and the winter elements. Native Alaskans viewed wolverines as clever symbols of the wilderness, examples of survivors in harsh winters of the Interior. Native folklore teaches that wolverines are shifty, wise animals that can blend into their environment. Natives admired wolverines' resourceful nature and ability to thrive on multiple sources of food.
Think about it: Why is wolverine fur especially useful in winter?
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Image provided by Anchorage Daily News.
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