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Range and Habitat: Arctic to subarctic regions, the wolverine's
range once extended from Norway to Manchuria, and from Alaska
and northern Canada to the U.S. border, with extensions into Colorado
and California in North America. Records of pelts from fur traders
indicate that the wolverine was once found throughout the wooded
portions of the northern half of Minnesota (last confirmed record
was in 1899). Inhabits large forests, forested hills, and the
taiga and tundra in Siberia.
Habits and Adaptations: Powerful jaws and teeth; generally
accepted as strongest mammal for its size, capable of bringing
down a deer or other large prey when they are injured or weak;
fearless animal, may even kill lynx; rather slow moving but can
climb trees easily and rapidly, walks down them head first; travels
across snow better than most animals during the winter due to
it's large foot size to body weight ratio. Usually solitary, with
a male sharing a 2000 square km (775 square miles) area with 2-3
females; normally active for 3-4 hours and then rests for similar
length of time.
Diet: Opportunistic feeder and hunter. Not a very good
hunter during the summer, it primarily feeds on carrion, eggs
of ground nesting birds, wasp larvae, lemmings and berries; during
the winter it will kill any mammal in its territory, including
deer, fox, hares, squirrels, etc., and may also eat ground birds
like ptarmigans. Unlike some mustelids, it does not kill more
than it can eat, but sometimes buries food, or puts it in tree
forks.
Breeding and Maturation: Delayed implantation occurs for
as long as 9 months; gestation is about 60 days; 2-5 offspring
are born, usually in February through early spring; nursed for
8-10 weeks; stay with mother about two years; sexually mature
at two years; live up to 17 years.
Miscellaneous: Considered harmful by trappers as it preys
on trapped animals; fur is used as trimming on hoods because it
retains little moisture.
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