Wolverine

Wolverines are opportunistic feeders. They have powerful jaws and large neck muscles that allow them to crush bones and frozen flesh. In the wild, they feed on small- and medium-sized animals such as voles, squirrels, snowshoe hares, and birds. They also rely on remains of moose and caribou killed by other predators.

Wolverines are found in North America and northern Eurasia, in the boreal zone of the northern hemisphere. They require large expanses of relatively undisturbed, boreal habitat. Wolverines are found in Scandinavia and Russia to 50 degrees North latitude. In North America they are found in Alaska and northern Canada, but can also be found in mountainous regions along the Pacific Coast as far south as the Sierras of California.

Individual wolverines may travel 15 miles in a day in search of food. Range: adult males up to 240 square miles; females 50-100 square miles.

Wolverines are found in alpine forests, tundra, open grasslands, and boreal shrub transition zones at or above timberline. They generally live in areas with low human development because they need large, undisturbed ranges in order to survive.

Fur is long, dense, extremely soft, dark brown to black with a creamy white to gold stripe running from each shoulder, along the flanks, and to the base of the tail. They have non-retractable claws that are long and curved. Wolverines have large “snowshoe” feet, which enable them to walk on top of deep snow.

Wolverine mating season is in the summer, but the actual implantation of the embryo (blastocyst) in the uterus does not happen until early winter, delaying the development of the fetus. This type of reproduction is called delayed implantation and allows a female to become pregnant when food supplies are best and when she is in good physical condition. The abundance of food determines whether a pregnancy will be maintained and the number of young that will be born. Females will often not produce young if food is scarce.

Kits are born between January and April in “snow caves” in the wild. These caves can be up to 60 yards long. The average litter size is 2 to 4 kits and they are born blind, weighing less than one pound. They are weaned at about 8 weeks and leave their mother when they are around 5 to 6 months old.

Wolverines are solitary except during the breeding season.