This animal is also called the demon of the north, skunk or damn bear. And we are talking only about a wolverine - a small mammal that looks like a small bear. However, the first impression can be deceiving, since this representative of the predatory family is one of the most ferocious and wild inhabitants of the forest-tundra and taiga.
Wolverine is a fierce beast
Indeed, the wolverine is the most ferocious and formidable hunter from the weasel family. From time immemorial, people hunted wolverines, caught them, pushing them into the wilderness, considering them very dangerous animals. It is worth noting that the grounds for this were quite sufficient: these animals often bully livestock, and sometimes attacked people. Such extermination of wolverines has led to the fact that at present these predators are found mainly in the Siberian taiga, in the Canadian forests and in Alaska. Despite their distribution, these animals do not form any dense populations, so it is very difficult to meet them even in their native places. Modern zoology describes so far only two species of wolverines - European and North American.
What does this predator look like?
Wolverines have a formidable reputation for good reason. These animals really resemble little bears with bushy tails. The length of an adult does not exceed 1 m, and the weight is 17 kg. The body of wolverines is clumsy and squat. The hind legs are longer than the front ones, because of this, the back of the predator is arched upward. The wolverine's head is large, and the muzzle is elongated. The tail is not too long, but fluffy. The peculiar feet of the wolverine are also striking: they are disproportionately large and have special membranes. This allows the wolverines to run for a long time and skillfully through deep and loose snow, without falling into it.
These predators have powerful teeth with sharp edges. Wolverine paws are large and hook-shaped. Clubfoot of wolverines is explained by the fact that these animals are plantigrade, i.e. leaning on the entire foot during movement. However, this does not prevent wolverines from climbing trees quite dexterously. Wolverine hair is thick, coarse and long. Fur color ranges from brown to black-brown. You can often see how golden or yellowish stripes run along the entire length of the body and on the forehead of the animal. All these are characteristics of their fur. It is curious that wolverine fur never freezes in winter.
Wolverine is a beast with character
The character of these animals is impudent, but at the same time cautious. They avoid places inhabited by people and go hunting, mostly at dusk. During the day, most wolverines take refuge in their dens under the roots of trees or in crevices of rocks. These animals spend the lion's share of their time alone, protecting the borders of their possessions from their other relatives. If a male wolverine wanders into someone else's possessions, then a life-and-death battle begins between the owner and the stranger. Fortunately, this happens very rarely. It is curious that even their own cubs are forbidden to remain within the parental domain for more than two years. Otherwise, they risk being eaten.
