Wolverines live in cold places in the far north. A wolverine looks like a small bear. But it is in the weasel family. Its fur is dark brown, with a lighter yellow stripe along each side. Some people call it a skunk bear, because it gives off a strong-smelling musk.
The wolverine is the largest land-living member of the weasel family. Otters, ferrets and honey badgers are cousins of the wolverine. An adult male weighs about 26 to 40 pounds. Its head and body are about 26 to 34 inches long. Its tail is about 7 to 10 inches long.
A wolverine's large paws work like snowshoes on deep snow. It has five toes on each foot. It can climb trees quickly and is a great swimmer. It can travel many miles in one day while looking for food.
A wolverine has strong teeth and powerful jaws. It can eat even bone.
In winter, wolverines often eat what a moose or caribou left. Other animals left it, or the animal died. Much of what a wolverine eats comes from animals that have already died.
All year, wolverines eat small and medium animals such as voles, squirrels, hares and birds. A wolverine stores extra food in holes or under the snow to eat later.
Wolverines usually live alone. They mark their territory with scent and with urine.
A wolverine can be active at any time of day or night. It stays active all year.
A mother wolverine builds a den in the snow. She gives birth there and feeds her babies milk. She usually has two to four kits at a time. Newborn kits are blind. They weigh less than one pound.
In the wild, wolverines can live up to about 13 years. Wolverines need large areas with few people.
Words to know
- musk: strong smell
- territory: claimed area
- kits: baby wolverines
- weasel: an animal group
The short version
Wolverines live in cold places in the far north of the world. A wolverine looks like a small bear, but it belongs to the weasel family. Its large paws work like snowshoes on deep snow. It often eats leftovers of moose and caribou in winter.
Quick facts
- A wolverine belongs to the weasel family, though it looks like a small bear.
- A wolverine's large paws work like snowshoes on deep snow.
- A wolverine can be active at any time of day or night.
- A mother wolverine usually has two to four kits at a time.
- In the wild, wolverines can live up to about 13 years.
Is a wolverine a kind of bear?
No. A wolverine looks like a small bear, but it belongs to the weasel family. Otters, ferrets and honey badgers are cousins of the wolverine.
Is a wolverine active at night?
Yes. A wolverine can be active at any time of day or night, and it stays active all year.
