Wolverine Facts
The wolverine is a muscular, solitary carnivore and the biggest member of the weasel family living on land, able to kill prey many times its own size.
- Class
- Mammal
- Scientific name
- Gulo gulo
- Conservation status
- Least concern (IUCN)
About the wolverine
Wolverines have a reputation for strength and ferocity far beyond what their size suggests, and they are documented killing animals much larger than themselves. They live mainly in remote northern boreal forests and in subarctic and alpine tundra across the Northern Hemisphere. The largest numbers are found in northern Canada, Alaska, the mainland Nordic countries, and western Russia and Siberia.
Numbers have dropped steadily since the 19th century because of trapping, a shrinking range and broken-up habitat. Wolverines have mostly disappeared from the southern edge of their range in North America as well as in Europe. Even so, the IUCN still rates the species as least concern, and its scientific name is Gulo gulo.
Did you know?
- Other names for the wolverine are carcajou and quickhatch.
- The name quickhatch comes from the East Cree word kwiihkwahaacheew.
- Wolverines live alone instead of in groups.
Questions about the wolverine
Where do wolverines live?
In remote northern forests and tundra, mostly in Canada, Alaska, the Nordic countries, western Russia and Siberia.
Is a wolverine related to a weasel?
Yes. It is the largest land-dwelling mustelid, the family that includes weasels.
Sources
- Wikidata Q14334, checked October 8, 2026
- Wikipedia: Wolverine, checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.