Wolverine the Animal Information

Sometimes compared to a small bear, the wolverine is a strong animal that lives a solitary life in the northern hemisphere and prefers remote locations like boreal forests and tundra. Wolverines have no counterparts in the southern hemisphere. As part of the family of Mustelidae, the wolverine shares in similar characteristics of the European polecat, weasel and marten.

  1. Size

    • Wolverines range in size from 30 to 40 inches and weigh from 34 to 40 pounds. Male wolverines are larger and weigh more than the female wolverines. According to The Wolverine Foundation, the shape of their body closely resembles a bear, but their behavior and their movements are relative to the European Polecats.

    Identification

    • Wolverines have short legs, a broad head, small eyes and short rounded ears. Their coat is thick with dark brown coloring and lighter silver to brown stripes that run along each side of their body. Some wolverines have distinctive white hair on their back or on their legs.

    Reproduction

    • Wolverines live polygamous and do not breed with just one mate. Wolverines sexually mature after two to three years. Breeding happens between May and August. Births happen from January through April. The female wolverines usually build their nests in snow dens or they find abandoned nests, like the ones built by beavers. A typical litter ranges from one to six cubs.

    Geography

    • Wolverines live native in the Northern Hemisphere in places such as Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Asia, Russia, Siberia, in boreal forests in Canada, Alaska and in the northern parts of the Rocky Mountains. According to the Wolverine Foundation, wolverines once inhabited the northern United States and as far south as California.

    Food

    • The wolverine is a carnivorous animal that scavenges and feeds on rodents such as ground squirrels and rabbits. The wolverine can kill larger prey such as wild sheep, deer and elk with its quick speed and large claws.