THE WEASEL FAMILY 



{Mustelidce) 



NUMEROUS group of fur-bearers comprise the Weasel family, which is scat- 

 tered all over the world, with the exception of Australia and Madagascar. 

 They include Weasels, Badgers, Skunks, Minks, Otters, Martens and Wol- 

 verenes. They are small in size, some being quite diminutive, but as a rule 

 are fierce and bloodthirsty. Their bodies are long and slender, their motions 

 are quick and graceful, their strength and endurance prodigious. They have 

 short, powerful legs with feet adapted to running, climbing, digging, burrowing, 

 or swimming. Most members of the family take readily to the water. Other 

 distinguishing traits are: a single tubercular molar tooth on each jaw; five- 

 toed feet which are both plantigrade and digitigrade; absence of the csecum; 

 presence of anal musk glands which are more or less completely under control. 

 The members of this family differ widely in coloration. In some of the northern forms 

 a single animal will change its dress from dark in summer to light in winter. Others, such 

 as the Skunk, will have broad stripes of white contrasting with black or brown. Others, 

 like the Otter, have fur of a uniformly dark tint ; while a nearly related member will possess 

 a coat of wonderful brilliance. 



The wide range of colors coupled with the softness of the fur has made the members 

 of this family of great economic importance. They are highly prized among furriers, some 

 of the species bringing high prices. 



AMERICAN WOLVERENE 

 Gulo luscus Linmcus 



Other Names. — Glutton, Carcajou. 



General Description. — A robust animal built like a 

 small Bear and weighing 20 or 25 pounds. Tail bushy, 

 short ; soles hairy ; ears short ; claws strong, curved, 

 partially retractile ; fur moderately long ; color blackish 

 brown with lighter areas on face and along sides. 

 Sexes alike. A very powerful animal for its size. 



Dental Formula. — Incisors, ^~^ ■ Canines, — ' ; Pre- 

 ^ 3—3 I— I 



molars, -~- ; Molars, ^^^A8. 

 4—4 2—2 f 



Pelage. — General color deep blackish-brown, paler 



and grayer on crown and cheeks; band of pale chest- 

 nut from shoulder to tail where the two bands meet ; 

 nearly white on rump in some specimens ; more or less 

 yellowish white spots on throat and chest ; claws whitish 

 horn color. Little seasonal variation. 



Measurements. — Length, male, 36 to 38 inches ; tail, 

 7 inches ; hind foot. 7 inches : ear, 2 inches. Weight, 

 25 pounds. 



Range. — Arctic America south to northern United 

 States, and in Rocky Mountains to Colorado. 



Food. — Mammals and birds; any mammal it can 

 kill and occasionally animals found dead. 



Remarks. — The Wolverene is the largest member of 

 the family to which it belongs, the family of the 

 Martens and Weasels. It is a wide-ranging beast but 

 is not found south of the regions of heavy snowfall. 

 It remains unchanged to any very noticeable degree 

 throughout a wide area and but three species are 

 described. 



Related Species 



American Wolverene. — Gulo luscus Linnaeus. 

 The typical species described above. Arctic and sub- 

 Arctic America north of the United States, south in 

 the Rocky Mountains to Colorado. 



California Wolverene. — Gulo lutrns Elliot. Color 

 about huffy. California. 



Alaska Wolverene. — Gulo hylacus Elliot. Color 



very dark, without buff or gray, 

 parts of Alaska. 



Found in various 



