Wolverines live in cold places in the far north. In North America, most live in Alaska and Canada.

A wolverine looks like a small bear. But it is in the weasel family. It is the largest land-living member of that family.

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.

A wolverine can climb trees quickly. It is also a great swimmer.

Wolverines stay active all year. In winter, they often eat what a moose left. Other animals left it, or the moose died.

All year, wolverines eat small and medium animals. They eat squirrels and birds. Much of what a wolverine eats comes from animals that have already died.

A wolverine can travel many miles in one day while looking for food. It stores extra food in holes or under the snow to eat later.

A mother wolverine builds a den in the snow. She gives birth there and feeds her babies milk. Her babies are called kits. She usually has two to four kits at a time.

Newborn kits are blind. They weigh less than one pound.

Words to know

• weasel: an animal group
• kits: baby wolverines
• den: baby home
• paws: animal feet