# Wolverine (*Gulo gulo*) Wolverines are strong and furry animals that live in cold places. They are known for their bravery and can travel long distances to find food. They have sharp claws and a bushy tail! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions - **Also known as:** Gulo, Gulo gulo ![Wolverine](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424781/objects/2889.jpg) ## Appearance The Wolverine has thick, dark brown fur, often with a broad, creamy-yellow stripe running along its sides. It possesses a stocky, muscular body, a wide head, and short, powerful legs, making it look incredibly robust. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Mustelidae - **Genus:** Gulo ## Interesting facts - Its scientific name, Gulo gulo, means 'glutton' because it loves to eat! - They bravely defend their food, even from much larger animals like bears. - Wolverine fur resists frost, keeping them warm in super-cold, snowy places. - Wolverines can walk for miles each day, even through deep, difficult snow! ## Special abilities - **Bone Crusher:** Wolverine has incredibly powerful jaws and teeth that help them crush bones and frozen meat, allowing them to eat almost an entire carcass. - **Snow Navigator:** Wolverine can travel easily through deep snow because of its large, wide paws that act like natural snowshoes. - **Food Cache Expert:** Wolverine can bury and store leftover food in the snow or under rocks, helping them save meals for later in harsh conditions. - **Climbing Claws:** Wolverine has strong, semi-retractable claws that help them climb trees and scale rocky slopes to escape danger or find food. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 82-133 cm - **Weight:** 9-25 kg - **Lifespan:** 7-13 years - **Speed:** 48 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-5 - **Gestation:** 210-270 days ## Diet & Feeding A mighty hunter and scavenger that eats meat, from tiny rodents to huge animal leftovers! - **Primary Foods:** Caribou calves, Moose calves, Marmots, Voles, Carrion, Birds - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Caribou](https://www.snappit.app/explore/caribou) (*Rangifer tarandus*) — Preys on vulnerable calves and weaker adults, especially in winter. - **Hunts:** [Moose](https://www.snappit.app/explore/moose) (*Alces alces*) — Targets young calves and weak adults, especially in snowy conditions. - **Depends on:** [Grizzly Bear](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grizzly-bear) (*Ursus arctos*) — Scavenges kills left by bears, sometimes even chasing them off. - **Hunts:** [Hoary Marmot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hoary-marmot) (*Marmota caligata*) — Actively hunts marmots and other burrowing rodents. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Scavenger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/scavenger): Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Wolverines are wild animals and should be admired from a distance. Never try to touch or feed them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Wolverine? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Wolverine? 82-133 cm ### How much does Wolverine weigh? 9-25 kg ### How long does Wolverine live? 7-13 years ### How fast can Wolverine move? 48 km/h ### What does Wolverine eat? A mighty hunter and scavenger that eats meat, from tiny rodents to huge animal leftovers! ### Where is Wolverine usually found? Mountain regions ### How does Wolverine hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Great Northern Railway Buildings](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/great-northern-railway-buildings) — Montana, US · Historic Site - [Alaska Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alaska-zoo) — Alaska, US · Zoo - [Northwest Trek Wildlife Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/northwest-trek-wildlife-park) — Washington, US · Zoo - [Ranuan Eläinpuisto](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ranuan-el-inpuisto) — Lapland, FI · Zoo - [ZooMontana](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoomontana) — Montana, US · Zoo - [Henson Robinson Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/henson-robinson-zoo) — Illinois, US · Zoo [View all places to see Wolverine](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/wolverine) ## Watch - [Play video: Wolverine](https://www.snappit.app/videos/wolverine) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=ADIFWhprKdA) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Wolverine: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wolverine)