Wolverine - Page 2

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Page 2

Mar 20, 2003

After the birth of the young Wolverines the female hides them away from predators. The mother protects her turf and does not allow trespasser to stay in her area. This territorial conduct carries through until the immature Wolverines can hunt on their own. The young Wolverines reach adult size and weight after about one year and become sexually mature at two to three years of age. The average life span in the wild is about eight to ten years but some animals have lived to seventeen years of age in captivity.

Wolverines primarily relate to the ground for their transportation and move with loping bounds. They can and will climb trees quickly and can swimmer very well. Wolverines run with great stamina, often in motion for six to ten miles without rest. When on these long runs their speed is about six to ten miles per hour covering up to 25 miles in one day. In the winter months their territory may cover as much as 1200 square miles. Normally a nocturnal animal they often hunt during the day. Snow doesn't bother Wolverine as they make their rounds even in the most severe weather.

Usually Wolverines are loners except during the breeding season. Both sexes are territorial and do not allow any individuals, especially of the same sex in their area. The Wolverines mark their territories with discharges from anal scent glands and urine. Wolverines also apply a spray to their food reserves with scent gland secretions. This helps to warn other animals away from raiding the food cache.

People in the field observed Wolverine at play between mates and between siblings. Also the mother Wolverine will play with the youngsters and they will play with objects. The Wolverine's economic importance for humans is positive. Persons living in the Arctic use the Wolverine's fur as lining for the hoods of parkas because of its frost resistant properties.

Also there is a negative side to their importance. Dairy farmers blame some Wolverines for killing their livestock. Wolverines have been hunted extensively in Scandinavia because farmers feel they prey on domestic reindeer. Some people consider the Wolverine a nuisance because it will eat animals caught in fur traps and will break into cottages and food reserves, eating and spraying the food with its pungent scent. Some Wolverines will spring a trap by turning it upside down or by dropping a small branch into it.

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