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WOLVERINE order:
CARNIVORA The
wolverine is the largest member of the weasel family Mustelidae and,
though formerly classified as its own New World species, luscus, it
is usually classed as
the same species found in Eurasia, gulo. Wolverines are known by several
colloquial names. The genus and species name "gulo" means "The Glutton" referring
to its reputation as a ferocious slayer and consumer of all it
encounters. "Skunk-bear" alludes to the wolverines resembling small
bears, skunk like body striping, and habit of marking food sources
with musk and/or urine. The Cree called them "Ommeethatsees" meaning
"one who likes to steal" relating the wolverines=92 reputation for
raiding traps/trap lines, human food caches, and cabins. As with
many colloquialisms, there is some basis in reality and some degree of
exaggeration in these names. The
wolverine is a stout, thick bodied, short-legged weasel weighing 20
to 60 pounds and
measuring from 30 to 45 inches long including its 7 to 9 inch, bushy tail. As with
most members of the weasel family, there is significant sexual dimorphism
in body size with males averaging about 10% longer of body and 30%
heavier. This sexual dimorphism decreases with increasing latitude.
Wolverines are described as dark brown with prominent, broad, yellowish
buff stripes from shoulder to rump on both sides of the body sometimes
extending onto the tail. They also often have white to yellow
headbands, collars, and/or socks that can aid in the identification of
individuals. The wolverine generally walks heel to toe in a plantigrade fashion
with 5 toes usually, but not always, registering in the 3-4 inch
wide by 4-5 inch long track. Common gaits include an alternating direct
register at a walk, 3 and 4 print lopes, and, less often, the mustelid
2x2, bounding pattern. Wolverines cover an average of about 15 miles per day (except females with kits) searching for food and marking their territories primarily at night. Territories range from about 50 -500 sq. miles; males generally having notably larger territories than females and often overlapping the territories of a few to several females but not of other males. Communication and territory marking is accomplished primarily by urination and secondarily by musk from anal, plantar (back feet), and abdominal glands. Low population densities are thought to be the norm but recent studies indicate that "The Glutton" is probably not as solitary as once thought. Wolverines prefer high mountain wilderness often including the alpine zone, taiga, or tundra and coastal regions in the more northern latitudes of their range. They are circumpolar existing in the northern latitudes of both the Eurasian and North American continents. On the N. American continent, they are believed to range in parts of CO, CA, OR, WA, ID, MT, WY, AK, and most of the provinces of Canada. There is evidence that they once roamed the montane zones of AZ and NM, pre-European settlement of this continent. Their distribution seems to be directly associated with the presence of large mammals as carrion food resource (i.e. ungulates or sea mammals.) The
"skunk-bear" is especially carniverous with ungulate and sea mammal
carrion being of
critical importance in their diet. They will actively predate small mammals like
snowshoe hares, birds like ptarmigan, and, opportunistically, large
mammals that are injured or bogged down in the snow. When available,
wolverines will also eat significant amounts of berries and insect larvae.
These big weasels are infamous for raiding traps for the bait
(=3Dcarrion), human food caches, and cabins and are known to haunt avalanche
chutes for carrion that may be found buried in the snow. They have a great
nose for detecting food buried deep in the snow, powerful musculature
and claws well suited for digging through snow and ice, and powerful
jaws capable of crushing large ungulate femurs (as moose) and tearing
frozen meat. Wolverines are also known for caching food and scent
marking food caches.
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