Wolverine In Canada: Everything You Need To Know About Them

Last Updated on September 14, 2023 by Amin Tawar

Are There Wolverine In Canada?

wolverine in canada
Wolverine In Canada: Everything You Need To Know About Them

Range reductions of Wolverine began during the early 19th century, and subpopulations extirpated from southern regions of Ontario, New Brunswick, and the aspen parkland of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Alberta. Today, wolverines are found across the western and northern forested regions of Canada.  

Also, Wolverines are listed under the Endangered Species Act in Canada, indicating that they are threatened species living in the Canadian wild. Though they are not presently endangered, they are likely to become endangered in the future if necessary measures are not taken to manage factors threatening them.

How many Wolverines are in Canada?

The population size of Wolverines has caused a debate as data derived are from harvest logs and the ratio to unreported harvest in their habitat. The Canadian wolverine population size is not clear but likely around 10,000 adults. Wolverine has been extirpated in many parts of eastern and southern Canada.

The observations on wolverines are continued to be documented in the habitat of the eastern sub-population, but no verified observation since 1978. The decline might be occurring because primary prey, continues to fall and habitats regions are fragmented. 

Where do Wolverines live in Canada?

In Canada, wolverines are mostly inhabited in forested regions, alpine tundra of the arctic tundra, and western mountains. They mostly occur on Pitt and Princess Royale Islands on the West Coast. Though they are seen in these locations, the residency of these species on a few Arctic islands is undefined as they rely on the availability of prey resources. 

It is unknown whether Wolverines presently occupy Québec, Vancouver Island, or Labrador as the last confirmed was in 1991. Also, Wolverines occupy a wide variety of tundra, and forested vegetation habitats that an adequate supply of food, consisting of small prey.

Are Wolverines Rare in Canada?

wolverine In Canada
Wolverine In Canada: Everything You Need To Know About Them

Wolverines are quite rare to be stopped in Canada and this is because they are nocturnal and are used to sneaking around in the shadows without getting spotted. Fur trappers of those days have also had a hard time catching wolverines.

Also, as they are very clever it is hard to trap them when trying to catch them. Also, they are known to usually live alone and wander across huge territories that can range anywhere from 1000 to 2000 square kilometers. Thus, it can be quite rare to spot these species in the Canadian wild.

Also Check Our Guide On Wolverine In US

What does Wolverine Eat in Canada?

Wolverine is a solitary, mid-sized carnivore animal of the weasel family. Being the largest member of the clan wolverine in Canada can defend its food aggressively against bears and wolves by using its muscular body, strong jaws, and razor-sharp teeth. 

It hunts its prey by covering the food with its foul-smelling secretions from the anal gland. The species is a scavenger and a wily predator. In summer, wolverine preys mostly on marmots, mice, ground squirrels, birds,  voles, and insects. 1

Sometimes they can also be seen munching on eggs and berries. In winter, it is largely a scavenger, depending on heavy carrion of huge ungulates killed by disease, starvation, or other animals. If snow situations are optimistic or when prey is tired, sometimes they can be seen killing moose, deer, or caribou.

Can You Hunt Wolverine In Canada?

Wolverines are protected as a “fur-bearing animal” under Canada’s Wildlife Act. Thus the possibilities under which it can be controlled or harvested are specified. The little data on Canada’s wolverine populations makes it challenging to assess the animals’ provincial status. To define its status in the country, research on distribution, demography, and ecology is still being done.

Are wolverines a threat to humans?

To date there has been no evidence of humans, being attacked by wolverines. Despite their fierceness, wolverines are not dangerous to humans. However, they can be aggressive under extreme circumstances, this usually happens when researchers are trying to handle tiny cubs. 

This is usually because wolverines have had only very little exchanges with humans and they like to live in secluded areas that are far from human civilization. But I do believe, that any big animal will defend their little ones under any pressurized circumstances or when one tries to go near their young ones.

Also Check Our Guide On Wolverine In Oregon

Conclusion

And that was everything you need to know about the Wolverine in Canada. I hope this article answered all your questions.

Thank You  For Reading!

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