Directions: Read the article and answer the questions that follow.
The Skunk Bear
1 In the cold, unforgiving climate of Alaska’s wilderness, there is a creature feared by predators more than twice its size. With long, sharp claws and an unfriendly disposition, this compact animal demands respect. In the lonely territory inhabited by this creature, a cautious person will think twice before approaching. This animal may be related to the weasel and might look like a bear cub, but it’s really a wolverine.
Features
2 The largest and strongest land-dwelling member of the weasel family, the wolverine shares several characteristics with bears. Like the bear, the wolverine walks on the soles of its feet, allowing it to tread easily through deep, soft snow. With amazingly powerful shoulders, teeth, and jaws, a wolverine can feed on frozen meat and even bite through bone. A wolverine can produce a strong, unpleasant scent when frightened or when marking its territory to warn away animals. It should come as little surprise that the wolverine has earned the nickname of “skunk bear.”
3 The wolverine is viewed by many as an unattractive animal. However, it is well-equipped for harsh winters. Thick, glossy, dark-brown fur covers most of its body, with a silvery gray mask of fur around its face. Frequently, a light-colored stripe runs along the side of the wolverine’s body to the tip of its long, bushy tail. It has a heavy build and a rounded head, with small eyes and short, rounded ears. An adult male weighs between 26 and 30 pounds, and a female weighs between 17 and 22 pounds. Newborn wolverines, called “kits,” normally weigh between 3 and 5 pounds. The kits are born in a protected cave and stay with their mothers for about 2 years.
Keeping Fed
4 Cold weather does not bother the hardy wolverine at all. In fact, wolverines prefer some of the coldest places in the world, including northern Canada, Alaska, and Siberia. Because of the frigid temperatures in these regions, food can be difficult to find. In the most extreme months, a wolverine can live on a small amount of food for a period of time.
5 When a wolverine does find food, it does not appear to be a picky eater. Its strong teeth and powerful jaws can chew through a grizzly’s leftover meal, devouring anything from moose and caribou carcasses to elk and deer. A wolverine will eat squirrels, insects, or occasionally berries. People have repeated stories that wolverines have been known to sneak into cabins to find food, but these stories have never been confirmed. A wolverine locates food using its sense of smell and can detect live animals or carcasses far under the snow. It hunts day and night, doing whatever is necessary to find enough nutrition to remain strong and healthy.
Fight or Flight
6 Wolverines are fierce and difficult to observe. As a precaution, a wolverine may run away if it senses danger, reaching speeds of up to 25 miles per hour across the snow. If cornered, a wolverine uses its sharp teeth and claws for protection. It raises the hair on its back, sticks up its tail, and emits a low growl. A wolverine can make itself appear to be a threat to larger animals. Reports claim that cougars and wolves will retreat from food when challenged by a wolverine.
The Future
7 While wolverines are not on the endangered species list, their population in some areas is dwindling. One reason for the decline is the decrease in the available food supply. To ensure a continuing food supply, wolverine populations in Alaska are monitored, and their habitats are protected. The wolverine, with its thick fur, quick speed, and powerful jaws, is perfectly suited for living in harsh, cold environments. Efforts such as those in Alaska will help to keep the wolverine population stable for many years to come.
1 Based on paragraph 3, the reader may best conclude that kits —
