Do Wolverines Exist in New York State?

When I hear the word Wolverine, for some crazy reason, I think of the X-Men film series character played by Hugh Jackman. My wife has a crush on him: Jackman, not the Wolverine character.

I also think of the Waverly Central School District, home of the Wolverines, where I have been the DJ for some of their school dances for many years, and the mascot from the fictional high school in the 1984 movie 'Red Dawn.'  But the real question is, are there any Wolverines roaming around the State of New York?

According to the website ISP.Page. Wolverines were once the largest native mustelid in the Adirondack and Catskill regions of New York State. However, the population declined in the 19th century because of trapping, range reduction, and habitat fragmentation.

ISP.Page notes that Wolverines were hunted for their pelts. They were considered pests, and unfortunately, that eventually meant there were no more Wolverines left roaming the forests of New York State. So, the answer is no, Wolverines no longer exist in the Empire State.

Where DO Wolverines Exist?

Wolverines do exist in other parts of North America, including Alaska, Washington State, the Rocky Mountain regions, and throughout Canada. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game describes the Wolverine as "a relative of the mink and weasel, is the largest terrestrial member of the family Mustelidae."

What IS a Wolverine?

The Wolverine has a thick body, short legs, short ears, and a broad flat head, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game notes that Wolverines, like humans and bears, walk on the soles of their feet.

What does a Wolverine feed on? The Alaska Department of Fish and Game says their diet reflects annual and seasonal food availability changes, and they can survive on just a little bit of food over long periods.

Their diet can consist of remains of moose, carrion, caribou, and other animals that have died of natural causes.

Fun fact from the National Wildlife Federation:

A male Wolverine is polygamous, usually having several mates with several smaller female territories within its larger territory. Females raise the young without any male assistance. A female makes her birthing den in deep snow, usually requiring five or more feet of snow to protect the young from cold and predators. For this reason, dens are usually high up at 7,000 feet or more in altitude.