Description of the wolverine

The wolverine is a stocky predator. Its paw print features five toes while lynx and wolf tracks only show the impressions of four toes.

Wolverine, photo Kimmo Pöri

The wolverine is our largest weasel

  • Body length: 69–83 cm (tail 16–25 cm)
  • Weight: 8–28 kg, the male is larger than the female

The wolverine is a stocky predator. Its fur is shiny and its overall colour is dark brown. The sides feature horizontal brown or yellowish streaks and the forehead and cheeks are also lighter in tone. The muzzle, tail and limbs are black. The wolverine's yellow-brownish ears are almost hidden in the fur.

Wolverine tracks

The wolverine moves in a unique manner, which leaves behind tracks that stand out because of their shape and large size. The wolverine moves either by jumping, which creates paired tracks, or by galloping, which leaves a slanted line where the impressions appear in threes. The wolverine's paw print ...

Wolverine behaviour and reproduction

The wolverine belongs to the sub-set of carnivores that feed on carrion and as a predator it is clumsy when compared to the other large carnivores. The wolverine's hunting practices seem somewhat amateurish.