The fur on their heads is also light brown, with the exception of a black muzzle. Wolverine fur sheds moisture. Other distinguishing characteristics include small eyes, and anal scent glands that discharge a foul-smelling musk. They will eat anything they can catch, find or steal, ranging from deer, squirrels, fish and carrion to nuts and blueberries. A reputation for fierceness has also earned it the names skunk bear and devil beast.
Wolverines are solitary animals except during summer breeding season.
Females carry an unimplanted egg until the following December or January when gestation begins. They usually have two or three kits in spring, which reach adult size by early winter. Individuals usually live between 8 and 11 years. Typical wolverine home ranges may comprise more than 200 square miles. Wolverines prefer habitat with large tracts of dense mountain forests broken by meadows and marshy areas.