Wildlife

Wolverines are among the least understood large carnivores in North America and are the largest land-dwelling members of the weasel family. Most wolverines weigh between 15 and 45 pounds, and stand 15 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder. Females are smaller than males. Their coats are glossy dark brown with two pale lateral stripes converging at the base of the tail. Wolverine heads are gray with black muzzles, short ears, and dark eyes. They have a low-slung body with powerful legs and large, curved claws.

Wolverines are best described as scavenging predators. They will consume the remains of moose and caribou killed by other predators or factors. On Togiak Refuge, wolverines probably prey mostly on voles, squirrels, ptarmigan, and hares. Other food items include berries, salmon, and porcupines. Wolverines will vigorously defend their food, but do tend to avoid bears, wolves, and other large predators. Wolverines are solitary hunters and roam large areas in search of food.

Like most members of the weasel family, wolverines are delayed implanters. Breeding occurs May through July and the kits are born in January through April. Kits emerge from their dens, which are usually in snow caves, hollow stumps, or under rock piles, in early summer and remain with their mother until fall.

Resources:

Burt, William H. and Richard P. Grossenheider. 1980. Peterson field guide to mammals. Houghton Mifflin Company. Boston Massachusetts.

Alaska Geographic Society. 1996. Mammals of Alaska: a comprehensive field guide from the publishers of Alaska geographic. The Alaska Geographic Society. Anchorage Alaska.

For more information, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's wolverine wildlife notebook page.

Last updated: July 24, 2008