The wolverine (Gulo gulo), also known as the carcajou or quickhatch, is the largest land-dwelling member of the Mustelidae family. This muscular carnivore is solitary and known for its remarkable strength, capable of taking down prey much larger than itself.
Wolverines inhabit remote northern boreal forests, subarctic regions, and alpine tundra, with the highest populations in Northern Canada, Alaska, the Nordic countries, and western Russia. Their numbers have declined since the 19th century, primarily due to trapping and habitat loss, making them nearly absent from the southern parts of their range in Europe and North America.
Adult wolverines are about the size of medium dogs, measuring 65 to 109 cm (26 to 43 inches) in length and weighing between 8 to 18 kg (18 to 40 lbs). They are primarily scavengers, feeding on carrion, especially in winter, and often follow predator trails to locate food. Despite this scavenging behavior, they are also effective predators, hunting small to medium-sized mammals and adult deer.
