Twelve wolverine facts, fact-checked
The wolverine (Gulo gulo) is a 15 kg mustelid with a reputation out of all proportion to its size — most of it earned. Full profile in our wolverine guide.
1. They take prey far larger than themselves
Deep snow lets a wolverine kill animals several times its weight, including caribou, by staying on the surface while heavier prey flounders.
2. Their fur resists frost
Hydrophobic guard hairs shed moisture so ice does not form — which is why the fur was historically prized for parka hoods.
3. They crush frozen bone
A specialised upper molar rotated 90 degrees lets them tear and crush carcasses frozen solid.
4. Their scientific name means glutton twice
Gulo gulo, from a reputation for eating anything available.
5. Territories can exceed 1,000 km²
Males range enormously, which makes them acutely sensitive to habitat fragmentation.
6. They travel astonishing distances
Individuals have been tracked crossing hundreds of kilometres, including over mountain ranges in winter.
7. They need deep spring snow
Females den in snow tunnels. Reliable spring snowpack is a hard requirement, which ties them directly to a warming climate.
8. They cache food in snow
Using snowpack as a refrigerator to store carcasses for later, especially while raising kits.
9. Kits are born white
Camouflaged in the snow dens where they are raised.
10. They drive larger predators off kills
Aggression and tenacity allow a wolverine to displace animals much larger than itself.
11. They are hard to survey
Low density and huge ranges make population estimates unusually uncertain.
12. Climate is the central threat
Loss of persistent spring snowpack removes denning habitat, compounded by trapping and fragmentation.
Read the full wolverine wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.
