FIELD BOOK OF MAMMALS 



much larger than the so-called small carnivores but smaller 

 than a Black Bear. The long, dark pelage, marked with the 

 broad lateral bands of yellowish white, is an unmistakable 

 character of identification. 



This big cousin of the Weasel confines its activities to the 

 ground; he can climb low trees if need be. Accounts of the 

 Wolverine credit it with unusual strength and an aggressive 

 disposition before which even the Bear gives way. Upon rare 

 occasion it will attack and kill Deer and Caribou, and has been 

 known to attack even the Moose. It digs out or breaks into 

 the trapper's cache and carries off or scatters and ruins all his 

 stores. It follows the trail of the trapper when he makes his 

 rounds and destroys every animal it finds in the traps or 

 breaks the traps themselves. 



The number of young in a Wolverine family is generally 

 two or three but may reach five. They are bom in June to 

 July (in high latitudes). The female makes a nest of leaves 

 under rocks or in some sheltered cranny. 



The name Glutton has been given to the Wolverine because 

 of the supposed greediness of the animal. There is little to 

 show that it is any more greedy than other carnivores, which 

 are all heavy eaters when food is plentiful. 



Subfamily Lutrinae. Otters 



Form long and slender; head flattened; legs very short; toes 

 webbed; claws reduced or absent; tail long and muscular; 

 pelage very dense; habit semiaquatic. 



Genus Lutra 

 Dentition: Incisors, f ; Canines, 1; Premolars, f ; Molars, | =36. 



Otter. — Lutra canadensis 



and related forms 



Names. — Otter: Common Otter; Land Otter; River Otter. 



General Description. — A long, lithe-bodied carnivore, of 

 weasel-like form, with webbed feet, and long tail. Size large; 

 head rather broad and flat; body long and proportionally 

 slender; legs short; fore- and hind feet with five toes, soles 

 hairy, forefeet webbed; tail long and tapering, pelage very 



