April 2024 e-edition - 21

feet are large allowing them easy travel across deep
snow, and their neck and jaws are strong, giving
them the ability to crush bones and eat frozen meat
from carrion they have cached under the snow. "
Their long, brown fur also is water-resistant,
allowing them to maintain their body temperature
even when wet. They are short and stocky, about
the height of a beagle, and weigh between 17-40
pounds. Their short stature makes them good at
fitting into and living in dens.
In the winter, wolverines stay at high elevations.
They use their unique adaptations to acquire food
despite the harsh conditions. Staying at high elevations
allows them to avoid competition with
large predators that move to lower elevations or are
inactive in the winter. When it comes to finding
food, wolverines take advantage of the opportunities
in front of them. They hunt and scavenge for food,
and are known to eat more than 20 animal species
as their diet shifts throughout the year. Their keen
sense of smell helps them find food. Throughout the
winter, they often eat dead deer and elk carcasses.
In the summer, a greater variety of food is available,
and they eat whatever is around including small
mammals, bird eggs and berries. Wolverines also
are known to hide food to eat when food supplies
are low.
Wolverines have huge home ranges, allowing
them more space to find food in the winter. Female
home ranges can stretch up to 113 square miles, and
male home ranges are even more expansive. Their
home range includes a variety of habitats including
forest edges and riparian areas. Females' home ranges
include good sites to build dens, like talus fields.
Wolverines move within their home range during
the year, driven by weather and food. Since their
home ranges are large and wolverines are solitary,
their population isn't very dense.
Wolverines mate throughout the summer.
Females experience delayed implantation, meaning
the pregnancy can be paused until the proper time.
They wait to continue the pregnancy until closer to
the winter months and give birth in dens between
January and April. In Wyoming, most females give
birth to one to four kits in a season and often do not
rear young every year. Wolverines grow quickly, but
they do not leave their mothers for a year, slowing
their reproduction rate when compared to many
other mammals.
Biologists wanted to learn more about the distribution
of the species in the lower 48. In 2016,
researchers from Idaho, Montana, Washington and
Wyoming set out to learn more about where wolverines
can be found in the lower 48 and how many.
Studying an animal this elusive was a challenge, but
they worked together to create a study that overcame
the many difficulties presented by the species.
Some wolverines have unique markings on their chest, feet and sides. (Photo by Kalon Baughan)
Wolverines can climb trees, which aids in their search for food. (WGFD photo)
Wyoming Wildlife | 21

April 2024 e-edition

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April 2024 e-edition