Wolverines

location: The wolverine is found primarily in remote reaches of the Northern boreal forests and subarctic and alpine tundra of the Northern Hemisphere, with the greatest numbers in northern Canada, the US state of Alaska, the mainland Nordic countries of Europe, and throughout western Russia and Siberia.

What they eat: Wolverines are far more ferocious and aggressive than their small size suggests. They are carnivores (meat eaters) that both hunt and scavenge for food. They are known for eating mammals of almost any sized including; squirrel, beaver, rabbit, mice, deer, sheep, moose, mink, foxes and many more.

Species: The wolverine is the only extant member of the genus Gulo (meaning “glutton”). Other common names include glutton, carcajou, and skunk bear. The wolverine is the largest land-dwelling species of the mustelidae family, a taxon that also includes ferrets, martens, weasels, badgers, skunks, and otter.

Predators: The mountain lion, wolf, and bear are predators of the wolverine. However, the human is recognized as the primary predator of the wolverine.

Habitat: Wolverines are creatures of cold, snowy landscapes. Habitats where they might be found are: arctic tundra, alpine meadows, subalpine forests, snow fields and northern boreal forests. Wolverines are found both in the boreal and arctic regions of North America, as well as Scandinavia and Northern Asia.