Wolverine
(Gulo gulo)
The wolverine is the largest member of the weasel family.
Except for their bushy tail, wolverines might be mistaken for a small
bear. The wolverine's body is dark brown to nearly black. Light-colored
stripes run in a downward arc from the shoulder to the flank then join
at the base of the tail and run out onto the tail. There is a wide,
light-colored arc above each eye, on the forehead, which runs down onto
the cheeks. Wolverines eat any meat they can get as well as eggs, berries,
larvae, carrion and trappers' supplies, if they manage to break into
a cache or cabin. They are determined predators who are not afraid to
tackle large ungulates or stand up to a bear or wolf. Their claws allow
them to climb trees and their oversized paws act like snowshoes, just
like a lynx's. They have a larger body and longer legs than a badger.
When seeing them on the run, another way to tell wolverines and badgers
apart is that wolverines lope and badgers trot. Wolverines are solitary
and inhabit large areas of wilderness.
back
to main section