One of the largest species in the
weasel family, wolverines are about the size of a bear cub. They
have stout, muscular bodies, short bushy tail, strong legs and bear-like
paws with partly retractable claws suitable for climbing. Ears are
short and rounded; head is broad with small black eyes and a prominent
muzzle. They are a rich glossy dark brown in colour with two pale
buff strips on the shoulders and flanks. Underparts are dark brown
with splashes of creamy white spots on the chest and throat. They
have prodigious strength and ferocity for their size. Males (avg.
14.8 kg) are larger than females (avg. 10.6 kg) (Banfield, 1974)
Distribution
Columbia Basin: Throughout the Columbia
Basin in appropriate habitat - which is more frequent in the more
remote northern portions.
British Columbia: The precise range
of wolverines is not entirely clear, but is believed to extend throughout
the mainland of the province in appropriate habitat. Wolverines
are believed to avoid dry grassland areas, and are rare on the coast.
Global: Wolverines range
across northern Eurasia and North America. G. g. luscus ranges
throughout mainland North America, primarily in the northern forest
and tundra with southward extensions into the western mountains
(Hatler 1989).
Habitat
The Wolverine is a solitary
and wide ranging carnivore occupying alpine and arctic tundra, boreal
and mountain forest. Occupies a wide range of habitats in search
of prey.
Threats
The population is believed to be
stable over much of the province, but is declining in the south
due to human activities. Wolverines are thought to be negatively
affected by human activity and habitat alteration and are generally
found in remote areas of undisturbed wilderness. Females with kits
are extremely sensitive to human disturbance and will abandon den
sites if disturbed. Wolverines are reluctant to cross active transportation
corridors and where they occur they form a significant barrier to
movement and high mortality. Increased access roads can increase
human disturbances in Wolverine habitat; for example, increased
access for trappers could increase harvest rates (Cannings et al.
1999)
Biology
The biology of this species is poorly
understood with only five major field studies in North America having
been completed. None of these studies are in British Columbia, however,
two major studies are currently underway. Food availability is the
primary factor determining the movements and range of. Large herbivores,
probably obtained as carrion, are the most important food item in
the diet, particularly during the winter, although wolverine may
hunt large prey such as caribou to a greater extent than previously
thought (Cannings et al. 1999). Daily movements may exceed 30 km.
Geographic features, such as mountain ranges and large rivers do
not form barriers for wolverines to the same extent that they do
many species. Seclusion appears to be the most important factor
in the selection of natal den sites. The breeding season is usually
in summer, but implantation is delayed so that kits are born the
following spring, after a gestation of 30-40 days. Average litter
size is 3 kits. (Cannings et al. 1999)
