Glacier National Park’s more than one million acres is home to 71 different species of mammals ranging from the minuscule pygmy shrew which is about the weight of dime to massive grizzly bears that regularly tip the scales at 500 pounds.
One of the most elusive mammals to roam the park is the wolverine which is the largest member of the weasel family and tends to stick to subalpine fir forests in remote and isolated sections of the park’s wilderness backcountry. Although Glacier boasts the highest density of these animals in the lower 48 states, seeing one in person is incredibly rare.
In an incredible stroke of good fortune, a park ranger spotted one of these highly nomadic creatures walking a scree field and managed to capture footage of the animal.
Researchers have documented more than 50 wolverines in Glacier National Park where they are perfectly adapted to thrive during Montana’s bitter winters. Even in the coldest winter months, wolverines stay incredibly active covering over 100 miles in a week as they patrol and fiercely defend their vast territories.
ABOUT GLACIER NATIONAL PARK WOLVERINES:
Gulo gulo
AÂ mid-sized carnivore in the weasel family, the wolverine is active throughout the year in cold, snowy environments to which it is well-adapted. Wolverines are rarely seen and inhabit remote terrain. They are also known as one of the rarest and most elusive carnivores on the planet.
Weight: 20 to 66 pounds
Measurement: 14 to 17 inches shoulder height, and measure 26 to 36 inches in length, plus a 5 to 10-inch bushy tail
