Behavior Wolverines are mainly terrestrial and move with a loping gallop. They can climb trees with great speed and are excellent swimmers. Wolverines gallop with great endurance, sometimes moving 10-15 km without rest, although their speed probably does not exceed 15 km per hour. They may cover up to 45 km in one day in their activities. Home ranges can cover as much as 2,000 sq km in winter.
Wolverines are largely nocturnal, but they are often active in daylight.
Wolverines do not appear to be bothered by snow and are active year-round, even in the most severe weather. After the females give birth they hide with their young. The mother defends her territory and intruders are not tolerated. This territorial behavior continues until the young are ready to hunt on their own. Territories are marked with secretions from anal scent glands and urine.