Its ability to take on these predators is crucial survival adaptation for this species, especially because the mortality rate in juvenile wolverines is quite high with so many predators on the prowl.Close & amp amp amp lt img height="1" width="1" border="0" alt="" src=" amp amp amp amp amp random=1389212343697& amp amp amp amp cv=7& amp amp amp amp fst=1389212343697& amp amp amp amp num=1& amp amp amp amp fmt=1& amp amp amp amp guid=ON& amp amp amp amp u_h=768& amp amp amp amp u_w=1366& amp amp amp amp u_ah=728& amp amp amp amp u_aw=1366& amp amp amp amp u_cd=24& amp amp amp amp u_his=10& amp amp amp amp u_tz=-300& amp amp amp amp u_java=false& amp amp amp amp u_nplug=11& amp amp amp amp u_nmime=27& amp amp amp amp frm=1& amp amp amp amp url=https%3A///> & amp amp lt div style="display:inline "> & amp amp lt img height="1" width="1" style="border-style:none " alt="" src="//googleads.g.doubleclick.
It is this scent released by the wolverines which earns them the name ‘skunk bear’.Īs we mentioned earlier, all these adaptations have an important role to play in helping the wolverine hold its ground even though it happens to share its native habitat with species like wolves, bears and snow leopards. When doing so, it marks the area wherein it has hidden this food with its scent thus making sure that it is not difficult for it to track the same later on. During the mating season, this scent is used to attract potential partners.Įven though the wolverine is notorious as a glutton, it only eats as much as it can and leaves the rest hidden under the snow – a behavior adaptation which is helpful in times of food shortage. Territorial disputes are quite common in this species, and they use this scent to mark their territories and warn other males. Other gallery highlights include a tide pool cut-away raked by waves and a deep pool in which a visitor-operated video camera has been mounted for. Staffed by volunteers, this exhibit lets visitors gently interact with tide pool residents like sea stars, gumboot chitons and anemones.
Wolverines are known to be territorial animals, with the range of males spanning over a distance of 250 sq miles in its natural habitat. The centerpiece of the Rocky Shores Gallery is our touch-pool. Anal Scent GlandsĪs with various other members of the mustelid family, even wolverines are armed with scent glands through which they release a pungent odor which is used for marking their territory, mating and hiding food. At times, they are also seen following wolves, and feeding on carcasses left behind by them. Wolverines are also known to be opportunistic scavengers who feed on carcasses left behind by other predators in this region. With their sharp teeth, they can bite off the frozen solid bits of flesh in a carrion with immense ease and that helps it make the most of its kill. As with other members of the mustelid family, even wolverines are armed with the characteristic upper molar which is placed in such a manner that the animal can tear through flesh of animals without much trouble. Similarly, they have a thick hide which helps them survive the onslaught of other carnivorous animals. Their powerful jaws and sharp claws have an important role to play when it comes to their ferocity. At the same time, these broad paws helps it run at a considerable speed on snow, an ability which helps it edge out its prey when hunting. This adaptation, in turn, makes sure that they don’t get tired even after walking for a long distance on the snow. In these regions, with a foot deep snow, the broad paws of a wolverine make sure that its feet don’t sink in the snow while walking. The habitat of wolverines spans across northern regions of North America and Eurasia wherein snowfall is not quite a rare phenomenon.
This is one of the most important adaptations for this animal, considering that it doesn’t resort to hibernation like most of the other animals found in this region do. Wolverines are known to cover such long distances in search of food, especially during the winter season when there is severe shortage of food supply in its native habitat. Taking into consideration their ability to cover as many as 40 miles in a day, there is no questioning the physical endurance of this species.