Wolverine

Wolverine
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Carnivora
Family:	Mustelidae
Genus:	Gulo
Species:	G. gulo
Binomial name
Gulo gulo (Linnaeus, 1758)
Subspecies
G. g. luscus G. g. gulo
Wolverine ranges
Synonyms
Mustela gulo Linnaeus, 1758 Ursus luscus Linnaeus, 1758

The wolverine or glutton (Gulo gulo) is the largest member of the Mustelidae family (the weasels). It is a stocky and muscular carnivore, more like a small bear than other mustelids. The wolverine, a solitary animal, has a reputation for ferocity, and can kill prey many times larger than itself. It is a powerful and versatile predator and scavenger.

There is a clear difference between two subspecies: the Old World form Gulo gulo gulo and the New World form G. g. luscus.^[1]

The male is about 18 in (46 cm) tall, the female 14 in (36 cm). Their length ranges from 36 in (91 cm) (female) to 45 in (110 cm) (male) and they reach a weight of around 25–36 lb (11–16 kg). Their tail measures about 8 in (20 cm). Their brown fur protects them from the extremely cold temperatures and their big feet enable them to walk on top of snow.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Abramov A; Belant J; Wozencraft C. (2009). "Gulo gulo". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 2010-01-25.