Using data from all the bears the wolverine could encounter along with information about these feisty creatures, we’ll figure out which animal could win a fight!
Comparing a Wolverine and a Bear
What Are Key Differences Between a Wolverine and a Bear?
The greatest differences between wolverines and bears include their size and phylogeny. Bears are very large quadrupedal mammals that are members of their own unique phylogenetic family, and wolverines are small quadrupedal mammals from the Mustelidae family that includes badgers, minks, and weasels. Aside from these factors, the animals have some similarities including their dense fur, aggression, and the presence of a flatter head in some species to help them hunt. These unique qualities can help us see which of the animals has an edge in the fight. Of course, we’re going to compare many other elements before we determine a winner.
What Are the Key Factors in a Fight Between a Wolverine and a Bear?
A fight between a bear and a wolverine would be interesting to behold. However, we need to look at very specific factors to determine which creature would be most likely to win a battle against the other. In that respect, we have come up with five key factors, both physical and mental, that we will use to draw comparisons between the animals. By seeing which animal has advantages in certain situations, we’ll find out which animal is most likely to win.
Wolverine vs Bear: Size
Bears are far larger than wolverines. The average wolverine weighs between 22lbs and 70lbs and only measures 3.5ft long while standing fewer than 2ft from the ground. Bears can weigh 900lbs or more, measure 5ft tall at the shoulder and stand up on their hind legs to be more intimidating. With a maximum length of 9.5ft, a bear’s full size is incredibly large compared to a wolverine. Bears have the size advantage.
Wolverine vs Bear: Speed and Movement
Bears are swifter than most people give them credit for being. They are capable of running between 25 and 35 mph. Since a wolverine can only run at 30 mph, some bear species are faster than them! The fastest bear species have a speed advantage against wolverines.
Wolverine vs Bear: Senses
Bears have great senses that allow them to smell food from miles away. Moreover, they have a sense of hearing that is twice as good as humans. Their vision is often said to be good enough to identify creatures at moderate distances, and some bears can even see better as dusk approaches. Wolverines are also predators, but their senses aren’t as attuned as bears. They have poor eyesight, great hearing, and an amazing sense of smell that helps them find prey that is deep underground in their burrows. Both animals have very good senses, so we’re calling this a tie.
Wolverine vs Bear: Physical Defenses
Bears are large animals that few creatures would be bold enough to attack. They have a great threat display where they stand up and grunt at enemies, and that scares off large creatures. They also possess a large size, the ability to swim and run fast on land, and they can even climb trees. Bears are just as adept in their defenses as they are in their offense. Wolverines have thick fur that helps them absorb some blows and bites. Although they can also resist many types of poison and venom, that’s not applicable in this case. Lastly, they have a smelly musk that can make some predators rethink their desire to attack them. Bears have better and more numerous defenses than wolverines.
Wolverine vs Bear: Combat Skills
Bears are deadly predators that attack by beating their foes with their massive paws, slashing them with their claws, and biting them to death. They use their weight to their advantage, pinning creatures before mauling them. When the prey is hurt and unable to fight back effectively, the bear delivers a strangling, severely damaging bite to the neck. Wolverines also prefer to bite their prey at the throat and not let go until it dies, but their jaws are not all that large to take down excessively large prey. They have no problem working for their food, though. They can stalk and attack their prey, digging into them with claws and teeth, wearing the animal down before moving in to finish them off. Both of these animals are very deadly in their niche, but only one of them can win a fight against the other.
Who Would Win in a Fight Between a Wolverine and a Bear?
A bear would beat a wolverine in a fight by using its size and more effective attacks. Although some people have surmised that wolverines could attack a bear’s jugular vein and tear it open to kill it, that’s very unlikely. Instead, the two animals would probably smell each other long before they saw one another. When they finally meet, it’s all up to the bear to determine how the fight goes. If it doesn’t mind taking a few deep bites in the attempt, the bear can simply overwhelm the wolverine. Otherwise, it has to harry and swipe at the wolverine, wearing down the mustelid. Unfortunately for the bear, wolverines have amazing stamina, so it will eventually learn that it must make a move. With its back against the wall, the wolverine will try to attack, but the chances of it dealing fatal damage to a creature ten times its size are very small. A slash with its claws or a deep, crunching bite is all the bear needs to end this battle.
