Wolverines are not common, and this, along with their secretive habits, may be why they are rarely seen. They live in forested areas, where they capture small mammals and birds. They depend heavily in winter on carrion, and their jaws are incredibly strong, and well suited to feeding on frozen animal carcasses. Wolverines are well known, too, for their predation on trappers' catches, and cached provisions. The pelt of the Wolverine itself has traditionally had a unique value - it is considered the best fur to trim a parka hood, because it sheds frost without becoming wet.
Wolverines mate in early summer, but implantation of the egg is delayed until winter.
After a gestation of about two months, the litter of two to five young is born in spring, usually in a den under rocks or tree roots. And if you should ever see one, it will be short legged, and dark all over with two buffy stripes running along its sides and joining over its tail. Wolverines are scattered in suitable habitat throughout British Columbia, except the Queen Charlotte Islands. The Vancouver Island race is little known, and sight records are very few. All Rights Reserved.