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

male ~~ male (dog ?)

female ~~ female (bitch ?)

baby ~~ kit, pup

group ~~ —-

voice (call) ~~ grunt; growl (mostly silent)

home ~~ den, burrow

movement (motion) ~~ lope

Special Features:

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)!

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!

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!

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!

wolverine logo

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!!

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