Wolverine
Gulo gulo
Trevor Fink
Reproduction
The wolverine's mating season occurs
sometime from May to August. From speculation, researchers have narrowed
down that most mating occurs between June to July. The wolverine will
have multiple partners during mating season. Therefore wolverines are
polygamous (Wolverine Foundation 2012).
Wolverines exhibit an uncommon embryo development. They experience
delayed implantation. So eggs are fertilized and then develop into
blastocysts. The blastocysts cease development until they are
implanted into the uterine wall. Blastocysts usually aren't implanted
until December through February. Ultimately, the blastocyst waits 30 to
50 days to be implanted into the uterine wall (Wolverine Foundation
2012).
Wolverines give birth during the end of winter to the
beginning of spring. The young wolverines look like they're albino right
away, as they're born with white fur. They also rely on smell right away
because their eyes are shut. Their fierce teeth also have yet to come
in. Young wolverines grow up very fast too. They're weaned after ten
weeks of mother's milk, they travel with their mother by early summer,
they are almost fully grown by the middle of fall and they are sexually
mature at age two (Wolverine Foundation 2012).
The chances of a female wolverine being reproductively
successful are slim. Wolverines produce relatively small litters,
usually around two kits. There is a big strain on expectant wolverine
mothers because they carry their kits during the winter when food can be
scarce (Wolverine Foundation 2012).
To learn about what other organisms the Wolverine interacts with, click
Interactions
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