Wolverine

Animals Unique | Wolverine | The wolverine is a medium sized mammal That Despite it's bear-like appearance (and it's name) is most closely related to the weasel. The wolverine is known to be strong and vicious and is said to have Immense strength in comparison to it's size.

 

The wolverine is found throughout Canada, Europe, parts of North America and the Arctic Circle where the Wolverines Inhabit mountainous regions and dense forests. Wolverines are also known to venture into more areas of open plains and Farmland Such as when They are in search of food.

The wolverine Generally eats mice, rats and other small Mammals, birds and eggs during the summer months when these animals are small in Abundance. During the bitter winter however, when snow covers the ground, the wolverine tends to hunt larger animals Such as reindeer (caribou), sheep and moose. Despite the fact That the wolverine is known to be capable of hunting down and killing animals are so much That bigger than Itself, the wolverine tends to prefer to scavenge the kills of other animals as wolves and bears Such. The wolverine will let the larger predators hunt down the prey and the wolverine then chases the hunter away by showing its teeth and growling fiercely. Then the wolverine is left to eat the kill.

 

The Wolverine uses its large teeth and powerful jaws to crush large bones and eat meat That has been frozen in the unforgiving Arctic winter. The Wolverine also has long, sharp, powerful claws wolverine That the uses to catch it's prey and to defend Itself from predators and other Wolverines. The wolverine also uses it's claws for climbing and digging.

Like the skunk, the wolverine has a strong-smelling fluid called musk the which the wolverine uses to warn others to stay away. Wolverines also have a thick coat of brown fur to protect them from the freezing cold temperatures. The wolverine has large feet help it move across the soft snow, with five sharp claws on each foot.

 

Wolverines are highly territorial animals and They Will Fight Their other Wolverines to defend territory. Wolverines are not particularly fast movers (although They are known to reach speeds of more than 30mph when needed), so They do not chase or stalk Their prey. However, Wolverines are good climbers and Often rest in trees, where the Wolverines wait until the right moment to pounce on Their prey from the trees or large rocks.

 

The female wolverine has one litter every two or three years. She digs a den with tunnels in a Snowdrift That is near piles of rocks. After a gestation period of nearly two months, the female wolverine Gives birth to a small litter of baby Wolverines (known as kits), usually 2 or 3 kits are born. The mother nurses her Wolverines Wolverines They are kits until around 10 weeks old and are then big enough and strong enough to start learning to hunt for Themselves.

Wolverines usually live to Between 8 and 13 years old wolverine although some individuals in captivity have been known to nearly reach the age of 20!

 

The wolverine is Considered to be a near Threatened species as the wolverine numbers are declining due to hunting and habitat loss.

Wolverine Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: mammals
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
Genus: Gulo
Scientific Name: Gulo Gulo
Type: Mammal
Diet: Carnivore
Size: 65-87cm (25-34in)
Weight: 10-31kg (22-70lbs)
Top Speed: 48km / h (30mph)
Life Span: 10-15 years
Lifestyle: Solitary
Conservation Status: Threatened
Colour: Sandy, White, Black, Brown
Skin Type: Fur
Favourite Food: Caribou
Habitat: Mountainous regions and dense forest
Average Litter Size: 3
Main Prey: Caribou, Moose, Sheep, Eggs
Predators: Human, Wolves, Bears
Special Features: Long, sharp claws and bear-like appearance