wolverine | mammal | Britannica.com Wolverine Alternative Titles: carcajou, glutton, Gulo gulo, skunk bear Related Topics placental mammal Wolverine (Gulo gulo), also called glutton, carcajou, or skunk bear, member of the weasel family (Mustelidae) that lives in cold northern latitudes, especially in timbered areas, around the world. It resembles a small, squat, broad bear 65–90 cm (26–36 inches) long, excluding the bushy, 13–26-cm (5–10-inch) tail; shoulder height is 36–45 cm (14–18 inches), and weight is 9–30 kg (20–66 pounds). The legs are short, somewhat bowed; the soles, hairy; the semiretractile claws, long and sharp; the ears, short; and the teeth, strong. The coarse, long-haired coat is blackish brown with a light brown stripe extending from each side of the neck along the body to the base of the tail. The animal has anal glands that secrete an unpleasant-smelling fluid.

Wolverine (Gulo gulo). Alan G. Nelson/Root Resources The wolverine is noted for its strength, cunning, fearlessness, and voracity. It may follow traplines to cabins and devour food stocks or carry off portable items; its offensive odour permeates the invaded cabin. The wolverine is a solitary, nocturnal hunter, preying on all manner of game and not hesitating to attack sheep, deer, or small bears. Wolverines are also adept scavengers, and thus a large portion of their diet comes from scavenging the carcasses of elk , caribou, and other animals. No animal except humans hunts the wolverine. Its fur is valued as trimming for parkas because frost and frozen breath can easily be brushed off the smooth hairs. Solitary during most of the year , the wolverine has a short courtship in February or March. A litter contains one to five young; the female’s gestation period is about nine months. Wolverine (Gulo gulo). wolverine - definition and meaning wolverine Definitions from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition n.

A solitary, burrowing carnivorous mammal (Gulo gulo) of northern forest regions, related to the weasel and having a heavyset body, short legs, dark fur, and a bushy tail. Also called carcajou, glutton, skunk bear. from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License n. A solitary, fierce member of the weasel family, Gulo gulo. from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. n. stocky shaggy-coated North American carnivorous mammal n. a native or resident of Michigan n. musteline mammal of northern Eurasia Etymologies wolverine - definition - What is ? What is ? wolverine definition : wolverine The wolverine (), Gulo gulo (Gulo is Latin for "glutton"), also referred to as the glutton, carcajou, skunk bear, or quickhatch, is the largest land-dwelling species of the family Mustelidae (weasels). It is a stocky and muscular carnivore, more closely resembling a small bear than other mustelids.

The wolverine, a solitary animal, has a reputation for ferocity and strength out of proportion to its size, with the documented ability to kill prey many times larger than itself. The wolverine is found primarily in remote reaches of the Northern boreal forests and subarctic and alpine tundra of the Northern Hemisphere, with the greatest numbers in northern Canada, the US state of Alaska, the mainland Nordic countries of Europe, and throughout western Russia and Siberia. Its population has steadily declined since the 19th century owing to trapping, range reduction and habitat fragmentation. The wolverine is now essentially absent from the southern end of its European range. ==Taxonomy== Genetic evidence suggests that the wolverine is most closely related to the tayra and martens, all of which shared a Eurasian ancestor. Within the Gulo genus, a clear separation occurs between two subspecies: the Old World form Gulo gulo gulo and the New World form G. g. luscus. Some authors had described as many as four additional North American subspecies, including ones limited to Vancouver Island (G. g. vancouverensis) and the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska (G. g. katschemakensis).

However, the most currently accepted taxonomy recognizes either the two continental subspecies or recognize G. gulo as a single Holarctic taxon. Recently compiled genetic evidence suggests most of North America's wolverines are descended from a single source, likely originating from Beringia during the last glaciation and rapidly expanding thereafter, though considerable uncertainty to this conclusion is due to the difficulty of collecting samples in the extremely depleted southern extent of the range. The males are as much as 30% larger than the females and can be twice the females' weight. Shoulder height is reported from . It is the largest of terrestrial mustelids; only the marine-dwelling sea otter, the giant otter of the Amazon basin and the semi-aquatic African clawless otter are larger, while the hog badger may reach a similar size. Wolverines have thick, dark, oily fur which is highly hydrophobic, making it resistant to frost. This has led to its traditional popularity among hunters and trappers as a lining in jackets and parkas in Arctic conditions.

A light-silvery facial mask is distinct in some individuals, and a pale buff stripe runs laterally from the shoulders along the side and crossing the rump just above a bushy tail. Some individuals display prominent white hair patches on their throats or chests. ==Behavior== === Diet and hunting === The wolverine is a powerful and versatile predator and scavenger. Prey mainly consists of small to medium-sized mammals, but the wolverine has been recorded killing prey such as adult deer that are many times larger than itself. Prey species include porcupines, squirrels, beavers, marmots, rabbits, voles, mice, shrews, lemmings, caribou, roe deer, white-tailed deer, mule deer, sheep, moose, and elk. Smaller predators are occasionally preyed on, including martens, mink, foxes, Eurasian lynx, weasels, Wolverines often pursue live prey that are relatively easy to obtain, including animals caught in traps, newborn mammals, and deer (including adult moose and elk) when they are weakened by winter or immobilized by heavy snow.

Their diets are sometimes supplemented by birds' eggs, birds (especially geese), roots, seeds, insect larvae, and berries. A majority of the wolverine's sustenance is derived from carrion, on which they depend almost exclusively in winter and early spring. Wolverines may find carrion themselves, feed on it after the predator is done feeding (especially wolf packs) or simply take it from another predator. Whether eating live prey or carrion, the wolverine's feeding style appears voracious, leading to the nickname of "glutton" (also the basis of the scientific name). However, this feeding style is believed to be an adaptation to food scarcity, especially in winter. Armed with powerful jaws, sharp claws, and a thick hide, wolverines, like most mustelids, are remarkably strong for their size. They may defend kills against larger or more numerous predators such as wolves or bears. At least one account reported a wolverine's apparent attempt to steal a kill from a black bear, although the bear won what was ultimately a fatal contest. In another account, a wolverine killed a polar bear.

Wolverines are known to follow wolf and lynx trails, purportedly with the intent of scavenging the remains of their kills. Wolves are thought to be their most important natural predator, with the arrival of wolves to a wolverine's territory presumably leading the latter to abandon the area. This may be because competing predator populations in Eurasia are not as dense, making it more practical for the wolverine to hunt for itself than to wait for another animal to make a kill and then try to snatch it. They often feed on carrion left by wolves, so changes in wolf populations may affect the population of wolverines. Wolverines frequently cache their food during times of plenty. This is of particular importance to lactating females in the winter and early spring, a time when food is scarce. === Mating and reproduction === Successful males will form lifetime relationships with two or three females, which they will visit occasionally, while other males are left without a mate. They are also found in low numbers in the Rocky Mountains and northern Cascades of the United States, and have been sighted as far south and east as Michigan. However, most New World wolverines live in Canada.

The range of a male wolverine can be more than 620 km2 (240 mi2), encompassing the ranges of several females which have smaller home ranges of roughly 130–260 km2 (50–100 mi2). Adult wolverines try for the most part to keep nonoverlapping ranges with adults of the same sex. This requirement for large territories brings wolverines into conflict with human development, and hunting and trapping further reduce their numbers, causing them to disappear from large parts of their former range; attempts to have them declared an endangered species have met with little success. The Wildlife Conservation Society reported in June 2009 that a wolverine researchers had been tracking for almost three months had crossed into northern Colorado. Society officials had tagged the young male wolverine in Wyoming near Grand Teton National Park and it had traveled southward for about 500 miles. It was the first wolverine seen in Colorado since 1919, and its appearance was also confirmed by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. In February 2014, a wolverine was seen in Utah, the first confirmed sighting in that state in 30 years.

In May 2016 a cattle ranch-hand in North Dakota came upon a wolverine in the midst of his herd and shot it dead. This was the first verified sighting of a Wolverine in North Dakota in 150 years. ===In captivity=== Around a hundred wolverines are held in zoos across North America and Europe, and they have been bred in captivity, but only with difficulty and high infant mortality. ==Name== The wolverine's questionable reputation as an insatiable glutton (reflected in the Latin genus name Gulo) may be in part due to a false etymology. The animal's name in older Norwegian, fjeldfross, meaning "mountain cat", is thought to have worked its way into German as Vielfraß, which means "glutton" (literally "devours much"). Its name in other West Germanic languages is similar (e.g. ). The Finnish name is ahma, derived from ahmatti, which is translated as "glutton". Similarly, the Estonian name is ahm, with the equivalent meaning to the Finnish name. In Lithuanian is ernis, in Latvian—tinis or āmrija.

The Eastern Slavic росомаха (rosomakha) and the Polish and Czech name rosomák seem to be borrowed from the Finnish rasva-maha (fat belly). Similarly, the Hungarian name is rozsomák or torkosborz which means "gluttonous badger". In French-speaking parts of Canada, the wolverine is referred to as carcajou, borrowed from the Innu-aimun or Montagnais kuàkuàtsheu. However, in France, the wolverine's name is glouton (glutton). Purported gluttony is reflected neither in the English name wolverine nor in the names used in North Germanic languages. The English word wolverine (alteration of the earlier form wolvering of uncertain origin) probably implies "a little wolf". The name in Proto-Norse, erafaz and Old Norse, jarfr, lives on in the regular Icelandic name jarfi, regular Norwegian name jerv, regular Swedish name järv and regular Danish name jærv. ==In culture== Many cities, teams, and organizations use the wolverine as a mascot.

For example, the US state of Michigan is, by tradition, known as "the Wolverine State", and the University of Michigan takes the animal as their mascot. The association is well and long established: for example, many Detroiters volunteered to fight during the American Civil War and George Armstrong Custer, who led the Michigan Brigade, called them the "Wolverines". The origins of this association are obscure; it may derive from a busy trade in wolverine furs in Sault Ste. Marie in the 18th century or may recall a disparagement intended to compare early settlers in Michigan with the vicious mammal. Wolverines are, however, extremely rare in Michigan. A sighting in February 2004 near Ubly was the first confirmed sighting in Michigan in 200 years. The animal was found dead in 2010. The wolverine figures prominently in the mythology of the Innu people of eastern Québec and Labrador. In at least one Innu myth, it is the creator of the world.

==Gallery== Brehms Het Leven der Dieren Zoogdieren Orde 4 Veelvraat (Gulo borealis).jpg Wolverine display at Arctic Interagency Visitor Center at Coldfoot.jpg Gulo gulo 01.jpg Wolverin pup in Sweden.jpg Wolverine in Sweden.jpg ==References== Wolverine Wolverine Wolverine (Gulo Gulo) The wolverine / ˈ w ʊ l v ə r iː n / , Gulo gulo (Gulo is Latin for “glutton”), also referred to as glutton, carcajou, skunk bear, or quickhatch, is the largest land-dwelling species of the family Mustelidae (weasels). It is a stocky and muscular carnivore, more closely resembling a small bear than other mustelids. The wolverine, a solitary animal, [1] has a reputation for ferocity and strength out of proportion to its size, with the documented ability to kill prey many times larger than itself. The wolverine can be found primarily in remote reaches of the Northern boreal forests and subarctic and alpine tundra of the Northern Hemisphere , with the greatest numbers in northern Canada , the U.S.

state of Alaska , the Nordic countries of Europe, and throughout western Russia and Siberia . Their populations have experienced a steady decline since the 19th century in the face of trapping , range reduction and habitat fragmentation , such that they are essentially absent in the southern end of their European range. Taxonomy Genetic evidence suggests that the wolverine is most closely related to the tayra and martens (scientific names Eira and Martes , respectively), all of which shared a Eurasian ancestor. [2] Within the Gulo genus, a clear separation occurs between two subspecies : the Old World form Gulo gulo gulo and the New World form G. g. luscus. Some authors had described as many as four additional North American subspecies, including ones limited to Vancouver Island (G. g. vancouverensis) and the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska (G. g. katschemakensis). However, the most currently accepted taxonomy recognizes either the two continental subspecies or recognize G. gulo as a single Holarctic taxon. [3] Hall[ who?

] regards the North American wolverine as a species (Gulo luscus) distinct from the Eurasian wolverine (Gulo gulo). [1] [ verification needed ] Recently compiled genetic evidence suggests most of North America’s wolverines are descended from a single source, likely originating from Beringia during the last glaciation and rapidly expanding thereafter, though considerable uncertainty to this conclusion is due to the difficulty of collecting samples in the extremely depleted southern extent of the range. [3] Physical characteristics Anatomically , the wolverine is a stocky and muscular animal. With short legs, broad and rounded head, small eyes and short rounded ears, it resembles a bear more than other mustelids. Though its legs are short, its large, five-toed paws and plantigrade posture facilitate movement through deep snow.

[4] The adult wolverine is about the size of a medium dog, with a length usually ranging from 65–107 cm (26–42 in), a tail of 17–26 cm (6.7–10.2 in), and a weight of 9–25 kg (20–55 lb), though exceptionally large males can weigh up to 32 kg (71 lb). [5] [6] [7] The males are as much as 30% larger than the females and can be twice the females’ weight. Shoulder height is reported from 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in). [8] It is the largest of terrestrial mustelids; only the marine-dwelling sea otter and giant otter of the Amazon basin are larger. Wolverines have thick, dark, oily fur which is highly hydrophobic , making it resistant to frost. This has led to its traditional popularity among hunters and trappers as a lining in jackets and parkas in Arctic conditions.

A light-silvery facial mask is distinct in some individuals, and a pale buff stripe runs laterally from the shoulders along the side and crossing the rump just above a 25–35 cm (9.8–13.8 in) bushy tail. Some individuals display prominent white hair patches on their throats or chests. [4] Like many other mustelids, it has potent anal scent glands used for marking territory and sexual signaling. The pungent odor has given rise to the nicknames “skunk bear” and “nasty cat.” Wolverines, like other mustelids , possess a special upper molar in the back of the mouth that is rotated 90 degrees, towards the inside of the mouth. This special characteristic allows wolverines to tear off meat from prey or carrion that has been frozen solid. [9] [10] Behavior Diet and hunting The wolverine is a powerful and versatile predator and scavenger. Prey mainly consists of small to medium-sized mammals, but the wolverine has been recorded killing prey such as adult deer that are many times larger than itself.

Prey species include porcupines , squirrels , beavers , marmots , rabbits , voles , mice, shrews , lemmings , caribou , roe deer , white-tailed deer , mule deer , sheep, moose , and elk . [11] Smaller predators are occasionally preyed on, including martens , mink , foxes, Eurasian lynx , [12] weasels , [12] and coyote and wolf pups. Wolverines have also been known to kill Canadian lynx in the Yukon of Canada . [13] Wolverines often pursue live prey that are relatively easy to obtain, including animals caught in traps, newborn mammals, and deer (including adult moose and elk) when they are weakened by winter or immobilized by heavy snow. Their diets are sometimes supplemented by birds’ eggs, birds (especially geese ), roots , seeds , insect larvae, and berries . A majority of the wolverine’s sustenance is derived from carrion, on which they depend almost exclusively in winter and early spring.

Wolverines may find carrion themselves, feed on it after the predator is done feeding (especially wolf packs) or simply take it from another predator. Whether eating live prey or carrion, the wolverine’s feeding style appears voracious, leading to the nickname of “glutton” (also the basis of the scientific name). However, this feeding style is believed to be an adaptation to food scarcity, especially in winter. [14] Armed with powerful jaws, sharp claws, and a thick hide, [15] wolverines, like most mustelids, are remarkably strong for their size. They may defend kills against larger or more numerous predators such as wolves or bears. [16] At least one account reported a wolverine’s apparent attempt to steal a kill from a black bear , although the bear won what was ultimately a fatal contest. [17] In another account, a wolverine killed a polar bear . [18] [19] Wolverines are known to follow wolf and lynx trails, purportedly with the intent of scavenging the remains of their kills.

Wolves are thought to be their most important natural predator, with the arrival of wolves to a wolverine’s territory presumably leading the latter to abandon the area. [7] Wolverines inhabiting the Old World (specifically, Fennoscandia ) hunt more actively than their North American relatives. [20] This may be because competing predator populations in Eurasia are not as dense, making it more practical for the wolverine to hunt for itself than to wait for another animal to make a kill and then try to snatch it. They often feed on carrion left by wolves , so changes in wolf populations may affect the population of wolverines. [21] They are also known on occasion to eat plant material. [22] Mating and reproduction Successful males will form lifetime relationships with two or three females, which they will visit occasionally, while other males are left without a mate. [23] Mating season is in the summer, but the actual implantation of the embryo (blastocyst) in the uterus is stayed until early winter, delaying the development of the fetus . Females will often not produce young if food is scarce.

The gestation period is 30–50 days, and litters of typically two or three young (“kits”) are born in the spring. Kits develop rapidly, reaching adult size within the first year of a lifespan that may reach anywhere from five to (in exceptional individuals) 13 years.[ citation needed ] Fathers make visits to their offspring until they are weaned at 10 weeks of age; also, once the young are about six months old, some reconnect with their fathers and travel together for a time. [23] Distribution Wolverines live primarily in isolated arctic and alpine regions of northern Canada, Alaska , Siberia , and Scandinavia ; they are also native to European Russia , the Baltic countries, the Russian Far East , northeast China and Mongolia. In 2008 and 2009, wolverines were sighted as far south as the Sierra Nevada , near Lake Tahoe , for the first time since 1922. [24] [25] [26] They are also found in low numbers in the Rocky Mountains and northern Cascades of the United States, and have been sighted as far south and east as Michigan .

[27] However, most New World wolverines live in Canada . [22] More Info in WIKIPEDIA Difference Between Wolf and Wolverine Home / Science & Nature / Nature / Animals / Difference Between Wolf and Wolverine Difference Between Wolf and Wolverine Posted on Wolf vs Wolverine Wolf and wolverine are two very different animals from two distinct taxonomic groups. However, due to the alikeness of the sound of their common names, some people might think wolf and wolverine are similar type of animals, or even same animal. Sometimes there are instances with wolves being referred as wolverine because of the same reason. Therefore, it would rather be meaningful to perform a fair comparison with some brief information about the both animals in order to understand the differences between wolf and wolverine as in this article. Wolf Wolves are the largest extant wild members of the Family: Canidae. They are entirely wild animals and have been extremely difficult to domesticate. Wolves are highly intelligent animals with an exceptionally well-developed sense of smell, which is about 100 times more than that of a human. They are social predators and live in families. Pack is the referred term for an assemblage of wolves.

Wolves are famous for their pack hunting, in which the pack follows the prey and surround so that the prey has no option but to fight alone for survival against a hungry and aggressive wolf pack. Wolves can usually run fast for a longer time, which is very useful for their predatory lifestyle. They have well adapted teeth for predation with sharp canines and molars. They are hard to train and aggressive animals. The muzzle is long in wolves, so that they can give a deep and hard bite on the prey. An interesting fact about wolves is that they rarely bark, but often howl in a spine-tingling frequency. Wolves shed their coat twice a year; they shed the winter coat in the spring and grow the short haired summer coat, and they shed that before the winter. Wolverine Wolverine has many common names; it is known as glutton, carcajou, skunk bear and some other names as well apart from their zoological or scientific name, Gulogulo. Wolverine is a type of weasels, which means they are one of the members of the Family: Mustelidae. In addition, wolverine is the largest land living animal among all the members of the family.

Their natural distribution range is the Arctic and Subarctic regions of the Northern hemisphere including North American, European, and Asian continents. Wolverine has a stocky and muscular body and their body weights could range from nine to25 kilograms. They are medium to large sized dogs and the measurement between the nose and the base of the tail varies from 67 to 107 centimetres. However, their tail is short and only about one fourth of the body length. Interestingly, their females are considerably larger than the males unlike in many mammals. Wolverine live on snow and their large padded paws with five toes on each paw are adaptations to walk on that slippery habitat. Despite having large paws, the legs of wolverines are short. The broad head, small eyes, and round ears demonstrate some of the characteristic features of wolverines. Additionally, their small round ears do not permit much heat to be lost as an adaptation for the cold environments that they live. Their coat of fur is oily and dark coloured (mostly towards black colour) with brown shadings on the dorsal and the lateral sides. In addition, their silvery facial marks are noticeable.

It is very interesting to notice their aggressiveness, and they make excellent hunters, they can even kill large prey animals such as moose and elk. Wolverine - definition of wolverine by The Free Dictionary Wolverine - definition of wolverine by The Free Dictionary (wo͝ol′və-rēn′, wo͞ol′və-rēn′) n. A solitary mustelid mammal (Gulo gulo) of northern regions, having a heavyset body, short legs, dark fur, and a bushy tail, and known for its aggressive predatory behavior. Also called carcajou, glutton, skunk bear. (ˈwʊlvəˌriːn) n (Animals) a large musteline mammal, Gulo gulo, of northern forests of Eurasia and North America having dark very thick water-resistant fur. Also called: glutton [C16 wolvering, from wolf + -ing3 (later altered to -ine)] wol•ver•ine 1. a strong, stocky Northern Hemisphere carnivore, Gulo luscus, of the weasel family. 2. (cap.) a native or inhabitant of Michigan (used as a nickname).

[1565–75; alter. of earlier wolvering (with -ine 3 for -ing 3), obscure derivative of wolf ] ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: American - a native or inhabitant of the United States 2. mustelid , musteline , musteline mammal - fissiped fur-bearing carnivorous mammals 3. genus Gulo , Gulo - a genus of Mustelidae Translations [ˈwʊlvəriːn] N → carcayú m, glotón m wolverine wolverine [ˈwʊlvəˌriːn] n → ghiottone m Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us , add a link to this page, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content . Link to this page: genus Conepatus References in classic literature ? Ben Jones, also, killed a fallow deer and a wolverine, and as they were enabled to carry the carcasses on their rafts, their larder was well supplied.

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Wolverine - English Language Tutorials You are here: Home » Animals in Language » Wolverine wolverine (also called ‘carcajou’, ‘ glutton ’; ‘skunk bear’ or ‘nasty cat’) a kind of animal – mammal – four-legged – omnivore (mostly carnivore) – mostly nocturnal (= active at night) – looks like (resembles) a small bear with a long tail, but belongs to the weasel family – stocky, muscular body with long, thick, rough, dark brown hair (fur/coat) with stripes of pale yellow along the sides, large, flat head with short, rounded, straight ears, small eyes, long, black muzzle (= mouth and nose part) with sharp teeth, short, thick neck, stout body, short, bowed (= slightly bent) legs with padded wide paws with five clawed toes, bushy tail; size: 3-4 feet long with a 7-10 inch long tail, 1-1½ feet tall at the shoulder, and weight: any where from 7 Kg. to 30 Kg.

(male larger than female); feeds on (eats) mostly carrion (= flesh of dead animals), and from small animals, such as rabbit, to large animals, such as deer, moose, etc., occasionally plant matter – roots, berries, etc; lives for 5-12 years in the wild (individuals in captivity may live for 16-18 years); two types – the old world wolverines: in Eurasia, and the new world wolverine: in North America, found in the Arctic region of Eurasia and North America wolverine pups voice (call) ~~ grunt; growl (mostly silent) home ~~ den, burrow Special Features: (Michigan wolverine mascot) The state of Michigan, USA, is known as the ‘wolverine state’; and the ‘University of Michigan’ has the wolverine as its mascot! The wolverine is not related to the wolf family, but it belongs to the weasel family. The wolverine is the second largest and largest land animal of the weasel family (the giant otter being the largest, but aquatic)!

(Wolverine — a popular movie) Like most other members of the weasel family, wolverines give out a strong and foul smelling fluid from their anal glands. The stink is very unpleasant and these animals spray this ‘musk’ fluid on the bodies of their kill or other carrion to deter other animals from eating them, and as a result, they are called ‘skunk bear’ or ‘nasty cat’!! Wolverines are known to be fierce, aggressive, bold and powerful animals for their small size. They are known to hunt much larger animals than they are, and to drive away bears and even packs of wolves from their kill or their young! Wolverines have much stamina (strength) and travel long distances. They are good climbers and can climb trees easily. They are also very powerful swimmers! climbs trees Wolverines have been hunted for their skin which is noted for its durability and frost-free quality. The fur has been used in the linings of hoods and cuffs of parkas! (wolverine logo) In American Indian mythology, wolverines are described as trickster-hero and a link to the spiritual world. The wolverine is a character in several comics and cartoons by Marvel Comics.

A Marvel production film/movie is made with ‘wolverine’ the lead character! The wolverine is so fiercely popular in the States that sports teams and clubs of several colleges and universities have ‘wolverine’ in their names and logos!! Return to “ glutton ” in People & Professions. BBC Nature - Wolverine videos, news and facts Wolverine Wolverine Strong and aggressive, wolverines have a voracious appetite and a fierce reputation. They'll fight for their food against wolves or even bears , and more often than not they’ll win. These are supreme scavengers and will store any large dead animals they find, the snow helping to preserve the meat for later consumption. They crush these frozen carcasses with their large teeth and powerful bite. Wolverines are also active predators , able to take down prey over five times their size when the unfortunate animal is trapped in the thick snow. These large members of the weasel family have few, if any, natural predators and are found in the tundra and taiga of the northern hemisphere, where their thick frost resistant fur is essential.

Scientific name: Gulo gulo Wolverine – brave glutton | DinoAnimals.com Wolverine – brave glutton Wolverine (Gulo Gulo) The bigger cousin of a weasel If you didn’t know what the meaning of Logan’s nickname (Hugh Jackman) in X-Men series was, then you should get to know the character of our today’s story – a wolverine. A wolverine – a weasel animal whose size is not larger than the one of a medium dog. Despite its inconspicuous size, it is a very aggressive predator which can pick up the loot from the wolf, the fox and the bear. The wolverine lives in severe north areas which are usually difficult to reach. It is extremely gallant and its courage is usually compared with the honey badger (ratel) which is called the most courageous animal in the world. Classification Names: carcajou, glutton, quickhatch, skunk bear Wolverine lives raw, northern, often difficult to access areas. Distribution Wolverines live primarily in isolated arctic and alpine regions of northern Alaska, Canada, Siberia, and Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Finland).

They can also appear in Russia (both in European part and more eastern part of this country), the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), Mongolia and northeast China. Wolverines, in small amounts, were also sighted in the Rocky Mountains. The whole population of wolverines is unknown because the area density of this species is on low rate. It is estimated that the European population is about 2300 specimen. The biggest population of wolverines is in Canada – from 15.000 to 19.000 animals. Wolverines need a lot of space. Therefore, the biggest danger to their habitat is people’s greater expansion as well as hunting and poaching. There was even an idea to protect wolverines, but this idea has not been implemented yet. The wolverine has only been classified as an animal which is close to being in danger of extinction. In the summer, Wolverine is active almost around the clock – rests only 3-4 hours a day. Natural habitat Wolverines live mainly in forests, but they also appear in marshlands. However, they avoid water although they are very good swimmers.

Physical characteristics Appearance A wolverine is a very stocky and muscular animal as well as one of the biggest representative of mustelids. Only giant otters which live in Amazon valley and sea otters are bigger than a wolverine. It has got short legs, a thick round-shaped neck, small round ears and small eyes. Although its legs are not too long, its large five-toed paws facilitate movement through deep snow as they do not fall in the powder snow. Wolverines have thick dark oily fur which is highly hydrophobic, making it resistant to frost. This was the cause of its traditional popularity among hunters as a lining in jackets. These animals are russet but there are lighter patches on their heads and sides. Similarly to other mustelids, wolverines have strong anal scent glands used for marking territory and sexual signaling. The strong odor has given rise to the nickname ‘a nasty cat’ and it is compared to a skunk. Wolverine’s jaw let him tear the meat off a totally frozen carrion. Wolverine Diet Wolverine’s nutrition depends on weather conditions that is most of all, in seasons. During winter, it becomes a very aggressive predator hunting for all mammals such as reindeers or berks.

The excess of obtained food is kept in hollows or rock cracks. Overall, its gallantry can be compared to the African ratel about whom there are a lot of legends doing the rounds. Another situation is during the short summer. The main ingredients of wolverine’s diet are bird’s eggs, tree branches and bilberries. In the autumn, the animal eats a huge amount of wasps’ larvas, small rodents, fish and carrion. Young wolverines become independent at the age of 2 years. The character Wolverines have huge jaws and sharp claws. They are extremely gallant animals and they are not afraid to attack even a bigger opponent winning the battle. Wolverines living in Eurasia are more active hunters than those living in North America. It is probably caused by the fact that the population of predatory animals (that is potential wolverine’s rivals) is not big and these animals have to get food independently. In North America, it can wait until another predator hunts the victim and try to seize it. One method is spraying unpleasant gases around the opponent. Wolves have their loots stolen by wolverines in most cases. Wolverine is a very stocky and muscular animal.

Lifestyle In the forest, wolverines are active almost around-the-clock- they rest only 3-4 hours a day. A wolverine lives alone on a very vast area and thanks to that the fight between wolverines happens very rarely. However, when they happen, they are extremely spectacular (just imagine the fight between two Wolverines). This animal can climb trees very well but it does not use this ability very often. Just as foxes or wolves, wolverines trot and do long jumps. When they escape, they can even run 40 kilometers (25 mi) without any stop. Wolverines have thick, dark, greasy fur, which is highly hydrophobic and makes them extremely resistant to frost. Reproduction Among wolverines, only strong males find partners- usually two or three during their lifetime. Other wolverines live alone. Mating season is in the summer, but the embryo rests stayed till late winter which causes the delay in the fetus development. If there is the lack of food in the surrounding area, than females do not produce young at all. The period of gestation lasts from 30 to 50 days and they usually give birth to two or three young.

Young open their eyes usually after four weeks and they become independent after two years. Wolverines become adult at the age of three or four years old. Wolverine Length: from 65 to 107 cm (25.6 to 42 in) Height in shoulders: from 30 to 45 cm (11.8 to 17.7 in) The length of the tail: from 17 to 26 cm (6.7 to 10.2 in) Weight: from 9 to 25 kilos (19.8 lb), males can weigh up to 32 kilos (70.5 lb) Lifespan: 5 – 13 years Gender dimorphism can be spotted in wolverines- males are almost 30% bigger than females and can be even twice as heavy. Wide legs allow wolverines to move freely in the deep snow. Wolverine – interesting facts The image of wolverine is very often used as a plush toy. It happens for example at Michigan University. One of Inn tribe’s myth (people living in east Quebec and Labrador) says that the wolverine is the creator of the world.

In many languages, the name ‘wolverine’ is derived from expressions connected with eating huge amounts of food i.e. a glutton or a gluttonous cat. In English, however, a wolverine means a small wolf. In zoos in North America and Europe, there are only 100 wolverines. James Howlette’s / Logan’s (Hugh Jackman) nickname in X-men movies is Wolverine. It means a wolverine or a young wolf. Wolverine (Gulo gulo).

Question: Which mammal has the alternative names of carcajou, Glutton or skunk bear?
Answer: Wolverine