Wolverine

Gulo gulo

Difficult

The **Wolverine** (*Gulo gulo*) is a large Holarctic mustelid featured in the Eurasia Animal Pack DLC for Planet Zoo.

## Zoopedia Description

### General

**Population In Wild:** Unknown

A large mustelid, the wolverine (or Gulo gulo) is native to the tundras and taigas of Northern Eurasia and North America. It has a stocky build with sturdy legs, a curved back, bear-like face, and small, rounded ears. It has thick brown-black fur with a yellow-white streak that runs from the head down each side of the body, rejoining at the tail. Wolverines grow between 65cm to 113cm long, 36cm to 45cm tall at the shoulder, and weigh between 9kg and 30kg. Males are slightly larger and significantly heavier than females.

The wolverine is considered a species of Least Concern due to its widespread range and low population density, although its numbers are declining overall due to hunting and habitat loss. However, the European population has declined so significantly, it is considered Vulnerable.

### Social needs

Wolverines are solitary animals and live alone except for mothers with their kits.

### Reproduction

Wolverines are territorial animals. Males have large home ranges, and several females may live within a male’s territory. He will visit these females intermittently and even form lifetime relationships with them. A female only comes into heat every 2 years, between June and August. The male detects if a female’s fertile period is approaching by scent, and will spend time near her until she initiates copulation with him. Ovulation is induced by mating, and the embryo does not implant for up to 6 months after mating. If a female’s home range is within multiple male’s territories, she may mate with several of them, although litters usually only have one father.

Including the delayed implantation period, a wolverine’s pregnancy can last between 120 and 272 days. Towards the end of her pregnancy, the female builds a snow den and stashes food there. After giving birth to a litter of 1 to 5 kits, 3 on average, she keeps her offspring inside the den for 9 to 10 weeks, where they nurse from her and eat from the food she has cached in the nest. The territorial male – their father – may make visits to them while they are in the den. After this period, the kits begin accompanying their mother on trips outside the den. They are fully weaned by 3 months old. Between 5 to 7 months old, kits begin foraging alone and then leave their mother to become fully independent. Some may travel with their fathers for a while, before eventually settling into a territory of their own.

Wolverines reach sexual maturity at 2 to 3 years old.

## Animal Care

 FEEDING STATIONS
 FOOD ENRICHMENT
Bamboo Feeder · Piñata Zebra · Piñata Pronghorn · Frozen Blood Pumpkin · Skittle Feeder · Dog Ball
Blood Scent Marker · Rubbing Pad · Rubbing Pad Bark · Tug Rope · Curio Ball · Small Ball · Small Ice Ball · Small Ball Colourful · Small Ball Pumpkin · Rubber Duck · Cardboard Box · Gift Box Enrichment · Prey-Scented Sack

## Trivia

### Zoopedia Fun Facts

* The wolverine’s Latin name is Gulo gulo, which means ‘glutton’.
* The wolverine has an excellent sense of smell and can detect food through 20ft of snow cover.
* Wolverines have a very strong bite that can crush bones.
* Wolverines have been known to drive off wolves and grizzly bears when protecting their food or kits.
* Wolverines have large, specially adapted feet that allow them to run across the snow at high speeds.