How are ferrets and wolverines related?

Ferrets and wolverines are both members of the Mustelidae family, which is a large and diverse group of carnivorous mammals. This family includes weasels, badgers, otters, and many others.

However, despite being in the same family, ferrets and wolverines are not closely related. They are in different subfamilies:

* Ferrets are in the Mustelinae subfamily, which includes weasels, minks, and polecats.

* Wolverines are in the Gulo subfamily, which consists of only the wolverine.

This means that wolverines are more closely related to weasels than they are to ferrets, even though all three are Mustelids.

Here's a simplified way to think about it:

* Family: Mustelidae (like a large family with many cousins)

* Subfamily: Mustelinae (ferrets and weasels are in the same 'branch' of the family)

* Subfamily: Gulo (wolverines are in a different 'branch')

While they share a common ancestor, ferrets and wolverines have evolved along different paths, resulting in distinct physical characteristics and adaptations. Ferrets are small and domesticated, while wolverines are large and ferocious.