wolverine, Anna Yu/Signature Collection/Getty Images

Threatened Provincially, Special Concern Nationally

Description

• Largest member of weasel family with large head and large paws with semi-retractable claws
• Dark brown fur with pale golden-brown stripes along the sides of body; dark brown face
• Unique markings on chest have been used to identify individuals
• Mainly scavenges on moose, caribou, beavers, snowshoe hares, squirrels, voles and sometimes berries

Range

• Northern Eurasia and North America
• In Ontario, eastern population of wolverine inhabits primarily northwest boreal forest and coastal tundra

Threats

• Habitat loss and fragmentation

Protection

• Provincially protected under the Endangered Species Act, 2007

Fact

The population recovery of wolverine is slowed by their low reproductive rate – only about half of the females give birth to young in any year.