Hugh Jackman can take a seat, this is the genuine article. A few weeks ago, the movie "Deadpool & Wolverine," an American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics characters, hit theaters, including here in Israel. The latter character brings us to a mammal that primarily inhabits the northern regions of the Earth — the wolverine (Gulo Gulo).
This remarkable creature is one of the largest members of the mustelid family, and is found in the northern parts of North America and Northern Eurasia. With a robust and solid build, the wolverine boasts incredibly strong jaws relative to its size, which help it crack the bones of its prey. Despite its seemingly cumbersome build, this medium-sized mammal, weighing around 44 pounds, can reach impressive speeds and cover considerable distances.
"The wolverine is an omnivore, mainly feeding on carcasses or injured animals that cannot resist, like deer," explains Professor Shai Meiri from the School of Zoology and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History at Tel Aviv University. "Although it may not appear particularly threatening at first glance, it is a very strong animal but not one that poses a threat to humans." Meiri has previously measured several predator skulls, including the wolverine's, discovering just how powerful, large and strong its jaws are. "This is an animal that cannot afford to be picky. Over the years, it has earned the reputation of feeding on creatures much larger than itself."
The fictional character of Wolverine shares traits of strength, determination, rage and ferocity with its namesake. "Both the fictional character and the animal have long and strong claws, which might be the main physical connection between them. However, it is important to note that while the wolverine has earned its reputation due to being an omnivore, it attacks its prey with its mouth, not its claws," explained Meiri.
Unlike the superhero Wolverine, who has a self-healing ability allowing him to recover quickly from various injuries, the wolverine does not possess this capability. However, it does exhibit great courage, often causing significant damage to inhabited areas where it is common. In an era where global warming is increasing year by year, there is great concern that climate change will reduce the habitat of the wolverine, putting it at risk of extinction.