That’s as rare as it gets…
With only about 250 in the continental United States, wolverines are up there as some of the most elusive animals in our woods. They are also one of the most ferocious animals out there, unafraid of anything.
Wolverines grow to be up to 4 feet in length and weigh up to 70 pounds. They have a stocky build and are covered in dense, dark brown fur that provides insulation in the cold northern climates. Their thick fur also helps them to float on snow, which is an important adaptation for their hunting.
Wolverines are known to be fierce predators and will hunt and scavenge nearly everything. They are good at scavenging from other predators and have been known to chase away bears, wolves, and even mountain lions to steal their kills. Wolverines are known for their intelligence and ability to solve complex problems, which makes them incredibly efficient hunters. They have a keen sense of smell and are able to locate food that is buried deep in the snow.
In Montana, wolverines are considered a species of conservation concern, and the first recorded sighting of one in Yellowstone National Park happened in the past couple years. Many park rangers who have worked in the woods their entire lives have never even seen one.
This video shows a wolverine in Montana swimming across a waterway as people watch from afar.
It is chasing a young deer that it is hoping to eat for a meal. The wolverine gets out of the water and takes off running up the shoreline giving the onlookers a perfect view of the amazing animal.
The wolverine runs along and almost seems to be thinking and coming up with a game plan as it does.
The deer fawn’s mother comes out of the water and is trying to protect its young, and the wolverine thinks again about squaring off with the deer, even though it wouldn’t have too difficult of a time.
That is truly a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
Wolverine Easily Fends Off Wolf Attack
Wolves are some of the best and most strategic hunters in the wild.
They use strength in numbers to take down prey and survive as a group. There are very few animals that do this, making them collectively as a species some of the best hunters.
But, then there’s the wolverine. And the wolverine just don’t care.
You can try, but you better pack a lunch because the fight will be cut out for ya from the beginning. Just like this other wolverine that fought off a wolf that we recently showed you.
We know one wolverine can fight off one wolf, but now I need to know. Can a wolverine fight off two wolves?
We are about to find out…
The video starts with two wolves eyeing up a wolverine in an open area. The wolves are trying to come up with a game plan so they can get a little bit of lunch.
One wolf decides it’s time and tries the classic attack from behind method. The wolverine is quick on his feet and doesn’t let it in too close. The second wolf comes in but the wolverine’s awareness is on point as it quickly switches its focus.
A person would think two adult wolves, who hunt together for a living would eventually get the better end of this ordeal, but the wolverine has other plans.
The wolves are in full attack mode going in for the kill. But the wolverine bounces back in forth between the two keeping them from wanting to go full in on the attack.
As the wolves switch spots and try to get the vantage point from the backside the wolverine just keep on keeping on and doesn’t let them get in good position. It uses its speed and fearlessness to keep the wolves out of position.
The three of them go in a circle and the wolverine even starts to attack a bit itself, playing on the offensive side.
Ultimately, that helps makes the wolves realize this is one badass creature and it might be a fight that just ain’t worth it.
That just goes to show, like every wolverine encounter, that they are as cool as it gets.
First Wild Wolf Pups Born In Colorado Since The 1940s
Last summer, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) confirmed that a litter of wolf pups was born within state confines earlier this spring.
Though periodic wolf sitings have increased the last few years, this marks the first evidence of wolves breeding in the state since the 1940s when the species was driven out of the state by federal eradication efforts.
CPW issued a press released citing reports from a state biologist and district wildlife manager who both observed a litter of pups and a pair of adult wolves. Typical wolf litters typically consist of 4-6 pups, although each time the pack has been spotted only three pups have been observed.
We can only assume those three pups are just as adorable as this little one from Minnesota.
The emergence of the wolf pups comes after state residents voted in the fall in support of a polarizing state ballot initiative that would require CPW to actively reintroduce wolf packs into the state by 2023.
Despite the emergence of a now naturally occurring wolf pack, it will apparently do little to deter those efforts.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis welcomed the news of the newborn wolf pups but also seemed to voice his support for reintroduction efforts through a statement that read in part “these pups will have plenty of potential mates when they grow up to start their own families” according to Colorado Public Radio News.
The birth of the litter is not all that surprising to state biologists. Both parent wolves have tracking collars affixed to them for research purposes, and their locations indicated they had been spending time together before the female wolf headed to a den.
Both wolves were originally collared outside of Yellowstone National Park before making their way down to Colorado.
State biologists will continue to monitor the den from a safe distance, but minimizing human activity in the area will help ensure the survival of the pups. The previous observations of the pack were done from more than 2 miles away with the help of magnifying optics.
“Our hope is that we will eventually have photos to document this momentous occasion in Colorado’s incredible and diverse wildlife history, but not bothering them remains a paramount concern,” said Libby Miller, a state wildlife biologist who works with wolves.
