A lot of the wolverine's food is thought to be carrion. Wolverines are known for their ability to chase other large predators, like wolves, eagles and grizzly bears off of their kill. With their massive skull, wolf like jaw and bone crushing bite, they are also accomplished predators themselves, taking down large animals like moose, deer and caribou. They are also known to eat snowshoe hare, birds, eggs, wasps nests, berries and roots.
Throughout their range these solitary animals exist at relatively low densities and their individual ranges can be up to 600 square kilometers. In Ontario the wolverine range varies from northern forests to open tundra. |
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Males and females will tolerate each other when breeding in spring and summer. Implantation of the fertilized egg is delayed however, until the following spring, when 2-5 kits are born. The young will sometimes stay with their mother until the following year.
The Wolverine is at the top of the food chain and its biggest threat is man. They are trapped for their fur, and poisoned or shot out of fear, or for being a nuisance to trap lines. A wolf pack or large bear may be a threat to a young, old or small wolverine. |
- People use wolverine fur to line parka hoods because it does not freeze.
- Known for their endurance, a single hunted wolverine was trailed for 40 miles without rest.
- Other names for wolverines: devil bear, northern demon, skunk bear, stink bear, carcajou, little bear, glutton.
- Their Latin name Gulo means glutton.
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