Sometimes called the “glutton” in reference to its historic reputation for voracious eating habits, the wolverine is the largest land-dwelling member of the weasel family (Mustelidae).
Location
- Current Distribution: in Europe, modern populations are restricted to parts of northern Scandinavia and northern Russia.
- Historical Range: once ranged extensively from Scandinavia and Germany eastward across northern Eurasia all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
- Habitat: they primarily inhabit forests and marshes throughout arctic and subarctic regions.
Description
- Size: european males have a head-and-body length of 25–32 inches (64–81 cm) and stand 15–18 inches (38–46 cm) at the shoulder.
- Weight: typically weighs between 22–65 pounds (9–29 kg). Females are noticeably smaller, measuring 10% less in length and weighing roughly 30% less than males.
- Build: short, heavy-set, and bear-like in appearance, supported by short, massive legs and large paws. The ears are small and rounded, and the tail is relatively long (5–10 inches / 13–25 cm).
- Coat & Coloration: the fur is long, thick, and blackish-brown. It features light patches on the crown and cheeks, alongside distinctive yellowish flank bands that run from the shoulders to the rump, joining across the base of the tail.
- Paws & Claws: each foot has five toes equipped with large, curved, non-retractile claws. The soles are naked during the summer but become densely haired in winter for insulation against snow.
- Dentition & Jaws: equipped with highly powerful jaws and strong premolars adapted for crushing bones. They have a total of 38 teeth and a chromosome count of 42.
Remarks
- Taxonomy: most zoological authorities recognize only a single species of wolverine (Gulo gulo) worldwide, with the Eurasian population categorized under the subspecies G. g. gulo.
- Bear-like Profile: despite being a mustelid, its heavy anatomy, distinct facial/flank markings, and robust frame frequently cause it to be compared to a small bear.
