Don’t Keep a Wolverine as a Pet

Disclaimer: The title alone should tell you not to keep a wolverine as a pet. They’re far too dangerous to keep as pets.

Okay if I’m obviously telling you not to keep one, why am I even writing this? If the title alone is meant to dissuade you from keeping a wolverine as a pet, why bother?

Okay, so here it is: I’m one of the few who haven’t watched the movie Deadpool & Wolverine. And it’s been well over 2 months since the movie’s release so I don’t think I’ll be spoiling anything if I write about it here.

Although I don’t really want to write about it because I don’t have anything much to say. I’m also just waiting for it to be released on Disney Plus so I can watch it at home.

So I thought, has anyone ever had the crazy idea to keep a wolverine as a pet?

What is a Wolverine?

Wolverines (Gulo gulo) are the largest land-dwelling species of the weasel family. These muscular carnivores are native to the northern boreal forests and tundra of North America, Europe, and Asia. It is also known as skunk bear and nasty cat due to its pungent smell coming from anal scent glands.

An adult wolverine is about the same size as a medium-sized dog. About 3 and a half feet in length plus another foot for the tail. They weigh around 20 to 40 pounds. Like the comic book character named after them, they also have sharp claws and teeth sans the adamantium lining.

Known for their strength, wolverines have been observed taking down prey much larger than themselves. Now, if they can easily take down an adult deer, they can easily take you down and do some serious damage.

Legal Considerations Connected to Keeping a Wolverine as a Pet

In most places, it is illegal to keep a wolverine as a pet. They are protected in many areas due to their vulnerable conservation status. Always check local wildlife laws before considering any exotic pet.

The wolverine is listed as threatened or near threatened depending on the state they are found. That alone makes it hard to obtain a permit to keep them (if you’re still not convinced about how dangerous they are as pets).

Is it Safe to Have a Wolverine as a Pet?

No.

It is not safe or advisable to keep a wolverine as a pet.

Wolverines are wild animals with strong instincts and are not domesticated. They can be extremely dangerous due to their powerful build, sharp claws, and aggressive nature when threatened.

I think I’ve said it enough that they are dangerous. So I’ll move on to other theoretical parts as to how to keep a wolverine as a pet.

Theoretical Care Requirements for Keeping a Wolverine as a Pet

While we strongly advise against keeping wolverines as pets, here’s what their care might entail in a theoretical scenario:

Diet

Wolverines are carnivores with high metabolic rates. In the wild, they eat:

• Small to medium-sized mammals
• Carrion. Read between the lines: dead animals. This might be the beginning of a gross hobby for you where you constantly search for roadkill.
• Occasionally berries and plants

In captivity, they would require a diet rich in protein, including:

• Raw meat (beef, chicken, rabbit). This is going to drain your money real fast if you don’t have access to cows, chickens and rabbits.
• Whole prey items.
• Supplements to ensure balanced nutrition. Good luck trying to get your wolverine to take a few pills.

Housing

Wolverines need vast territories in the wild. A captive environment would need to be:

• Extremely large. You need a minimum of 500 to 1000 square meters per pair. The best would be several acres so they have a lot of room to move in. you should try to mimic their natural habit with rocks, logs, water sources, and shaded areas. You should also provide den boxes for shelter and breeding. You should use soil as your substrate so they can dig and have areas covered in snow or ice.
• Secure with an extremely strong fencing (they are excellent climbers and diggers). Not only will you have to fence the perimeter, but you’ll also need to make sure that there’s underground fencing too so that they can’t escape by burrowing. To keep them entertained, you should provide vertical climbing spaces that are at least 3 to 4 meters high.
• Temperature-controlled to mimic their cool native climate. Temperature should be below 20°C/68°F when possible. This is based on their natural habitat’s temperature ranges. If you can, provide a misting system for hot days so they can keep cool.

Health Concerns if You Do Decide to Push on with Keeping a Wolverine as a Pet

Veterinary care would be challenging as few vets specialize in wolverine care. Potential health issues include:

• Dental problems. You won’t be able to provide proper dental care same as how you would brush your dog or cat’s teeth with a wolverine so expect a few dental issues as they grow older and hopefully you or the vet don’t get bit.
• Parasites. Like all animals, wolverines are prone to getting parasites from their surroundings.
• Stress-related illnesses due to captivity. All animals experience this. Even regular pets like cats and dogs. So imagine what kind of stress you’d be giving a wolverine that’s kept as a pet.

Pros and Cons of Having a Wolverine as a Pet

Pros

• Unique and rare animal – if you’re into that, then having a wolverine as a pet is just like having a tiger or a lion as pets. Wolverines are just as dangerous as those bigger animals.
• Intelligent and active – it can be fun to watch your wolverine go about its daily activities. They’re always busy doing something

Cons

• Extremely dangerous (Again!)
• Illegal in most places
• Expensive to house and feed properly
• Difficult to provide adequate space and enrichment
• Lack of domestication makes them unpredictable
• Limited veterinary expertise available
• Ethical concerns about keeping a wild animal in captivity

Conclusion

While wolverines are undoubtedly fascinating creatures, they are not suitable as pets. The dangers, legal issues, and complex care requirements make it impractical and unethical to keep them in a domestic setting. Instead, we recommend admiring these amazing animals in their natural habitats or at accredited wildlife sanctuaries where they can receive proper care and live in suitable environments.

If you’re interested in pet ownership, consider adopting a domesticated animal from a local shelter. There are many loving cats, dogs, and other pets in need of homes that can provide companionship without the risks and ethical concerns associated with keeping wild animals.

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