Wolverine
Gulo gulo
A tough, stocky member of the weasel family from the far north that can drive bears and wolves away from food.
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About the Wolverine
Wolverines live in cold northern forests, taiga, mountains and tundra in northern Europe, Asia, Canada and Alaska. They are 25 to 34 inches long and weigh 24 to 40 pounds. Thick, oily fur sheds water and frost, and wide paws help them move through deep snow. They eat mostly meat, including squirrels, rabbits and birds, plus berries and eggs in summer, and they often eat carrion.[1]
Quick facts
- Scientific name
- Gulo gulo[1]
- Size
- 25 to 34 inches long.[1]
- Weight
- 24 to 40 pounds. Males can be much larger.[1]
- Lifespan
- 4 to 6 years in the wild. Up to 13 in captivity.[1]
- Diet
- Mostly meat, including carrion, plus berries, eggs and plants.[1]
- Habitat
- Boreal forest, taiga, alpine areas and tundra.[1]
- Where it lives
- Northern Europe and Asia, Canada and Alaska.[1]
- Group life
- Solitary and territorial.[1]
- Conservation status
- Least Concern (IUCN Red List, assessed 2015).[2]
Fun facts
Vocabulary
- mustelid
- A member of the weasel family, which includes wolverines, otters and badgers.
- taiga
- A cold northern forest of evergreen trees.
- carrion
- The meat of an animal that is already dead.
- molar
- A wide back tooth used for grinding or tearing.
- territorial
- Defending an area from others of the same kind.
See it in person
- San Francisco Zoo & GardensSan Francisco, California · MammalsSee this animal on the zoo's website ↗
Sources
- [1] San Francisco Zoo & Gardens. “Wolverine.” https://www.sfzoo.org/wolverine/ (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [2] IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. “Gulo gulo (Wolverine).” https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/9561/45198537 (accessed 2026-10-02)
Facts last checked 2026-10-02.
