# You run head long into a Wolverine. What do you do? Could you take him/her? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 24, 2005, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-run-head-long-into-a-wolverine-what-do-you-do-could-you-take-him-her/318467 "2005-08-24T18:46:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-run-head-long-into-a-wolverine-what-do-you-do-could-you-take-him-her/318467/1 "2005-08-24T18:46:18Z")
I was wondering about this. My wife and I are going to be up in Banff in autumn. We’re planning on doing a ton of hiking. I was wondering the best thing to do if we run head long into a wolverine. I was looking at their taxonomy and their general charactoristics and they seem rather small…11-18 kg for a male - slightly sexually dimorphic for a female. Thats not too large… however, they have a mean pitbull like disposition and I’m sure they could wreak havoc on anything…but could they do _that_ much damage to a human? I mean could they maul you and kill you? What should one do if you run into one? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-run-head-long-into-a-wolverine-what-do-you-do-could-you-take-him-her/318467/2 "2005-08-24T18:51:22Z")
I have no healing factor, no adamentium on my bones, and no extendable claws. I lose. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-run-head-long-into-a-wolverine-what-do-you-do-could-you-take-him-her/318467/3 "2005-08-24T19:13:30Z")
> [@Phlosphr](#): > > I mean could they maul you and kill you? What should one do if you run into one? Yes, one could very conceivably maul and kill you. An in-shape, athletic male would have a shot at taking one down with his bare hands, but would likely sustain enough damage to make him wish he’d lost and the wolverine had just killed him outright. If you run into one, just leave it alone. It’s not going to attack you unless it’s starving and you look weak and vulnerable. If it’s eating, definitely leave it the hell alone. ---
**Author:** ![Tiggrkitty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tiggrkitty/32/17966_2.png) [@Tiggrkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tiggrkitty)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-run-head-long-into-a-wolverine-what-do-you-do-could-you-take-him-her/318467/4 "2005-08-24T19:14:51Z")
I have been compared to a female woverine protecting her babies, when it comes to our production network. So I am thinking, I could have a snowballs chance of taking a real woverine down. Just saying…I might have a chance. More like I would run like a girlie girl to get away from the thing. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-run-head-long-into-a-wolverine-what-do-you-do-could-you-take-him-her/318467/5 "2005-08-24T19:15:16Z")
I’m not sure what the recommended procedure is, but I carry a very large, very solid walking stick (about 2m tall, weighs about 5kg) and has a metal sheath on the ground end. I’ve also had some training in the use of a quarterstaff, and I feel confident that I can fight off anything short of a bear with it. Wolverines could certainly hurt you if they knocked you down, or if you tripped and fell. You should check with rangers in the area, tho, and seek their advice. I’ve found the local rangers to be knowledgable and practical where ever I go, and I always talk to them before setting out in an unfamiliar area. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-run-head-long-into-a-wolverine-what-do-you-do-could-you-take-him-her/318467/6 "2005-08-24T19:21:26Z")
The natural question is: a pit bull vs. a wolverine Which wins? They seem to be approximately the same weight. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-run-head-long-into-a-wolverine-what-do-you-do-could-you-take-him-her/318467/7 "2005-08-24T19:25:26Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > The natural question is: > > a pit bull > > vs. > > a wolverine > Which wins? They seem to be approximately the same weight. I’d take the wolverine any day, for the same reason that cat’s beat most dogs in fights: dogs fight with their faces. Wolverines have nasty claws as well as sharp teeth. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-run-head-long-into-a-wolverine-what-do-you-do-could-you-take-him-her/318467/8 "2005-08-24T19:28:08Z")
Wow, check these facts out (I found this just after I hit submit on that last post): > [@](#): > > If a wolverine was the size of a bear, it would be the strongest animal on Earth. > The wolverine’s jaws are strong enough to crush bones. > Wolverines are capable of bringing down deer or caribou. > A cougar will back away if it is challenged for a carcass by a wolverine. > Wolverines are known among trappers for stealing food while fox or mink get caught. > Wolverines are strong enough to drag an animal carcass three times their own weight for some distance. > A wolverine’s keen nose can smell food under snow. > Wolverines have been reported to drive packs of wolves from their kills. [cite](http://blindkat.tripod.com/zoo/wolverine.html) If there was any doubt, I’d definitely take the wolverine over a pit bull after reading that. ---
**Author:** ![Electronic\_Chaos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Electronic\_Chaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electronic_Chaos)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-run-head-long-into-a-wolverine-what-do-you-do-could-you-take-him-her/318467/9 "2005-08-24T19:38:25Z")
I’d call Napoleon Dynamite, and hand him my 12 gauge. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-run-head-long-into-a-wolverine-what-do-you-do-could-you-take-him-her/318467/10 "2005-08-24T19:41:46Z")
> [@Snowboarder Bo](#): > > I’m not sure what the recommended procedure is, but I carry a very large, very solid walking stick (about 2m tall, weighs about 5kg) and has a metal sheath on the ground end. I’ve also had some training in the use of a quarterstaff, and I feel confident that I can fight off anything short of a bear with it. Dude, you willingly carry an extra 11 pounds of weight with you when you go hiking? That’s pretty hardcore. A softball bat only weighs 30 ounces or so, and anything I couldn’t fight off with one of those is going to have me for lunch no matter what. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-run-head-long-into-a-wolverine-what-do-you-do-could-you-take-him-her/318467/11 "2005-08-24T19:48:46Z")
[Hmm… bigger than I thought](http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0206/feature3/zoom3.html) ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-run-head-long-into-a-wolverine-what-do-you-do-could-you-take-him-her/318467/12 "2005-08-24T20:04:43Z")
> [@](#): > > You run head long into a Wolverine. What do you do? Ooh! Ooh! I know the answer. I lie down and bleed. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-run-head-long-into-a-wolverine-what-do-you-do-could-you-take-him-her/318467/13 "2005-08-24T20:11:48Z")
I saw footage on a nature special of someone with a camera crew who got dragged into the brush and attacked by a wolverine. I’d rather deal with a bear, they apparently look like happy-go-lucky dogs in temperament comparison to wolverines. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-run-head-long-into-a-wolverine-what-do-you-do-could-you-take-him-her/318467/14 "2005-08-24T20:20:18Z")
I have never heard of wolverines in the Banff area, and for sure I have never heard of wolverine attacks on people. Perhaps **Ginger of the North** could pop in and clarify (she is from Canmore which is about 20 minutes from Banff proper). I can tell you that I have come across bear track in fresh snow while hiking in that area (it was mid October as I recall). ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-run-head-long-into-a-wolverine-what-do-you-do-could-you-take-him-her/318467/15 "2005-08-24T20:27:54Z")
> [@Lord Ashtar](#): > > I have no healing factor, no adamentium on my bones, and no extendable claws. I lose. That’s never stopped Cyclops from getting into an internicene fight. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-run-head-long-into-a-wolverine-what-do-you-do-could-you-take-him-her/318467/16 "2005-08-24T20:43:52Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > That’s never stopped Cyclops from getting into an internicene fight. There is a lot to be said for having a powerful ranged attack. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-run-head-long-into-a-wolverine-what-do-you-do-could-you-take-him-her/318467/17 "2005-08-24T20:49:42Z")
I would take off my Ohio State shirt and run for my life… I don’t own a buckeye shirt. I’m dead. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-run-head-long-into-a-wolverine-what-do-you-do-could-you-take-him-her/318467/18 "2005-08-24T20:51:29Z")
Well, I have run into one before. Not “headlong” mind you, but we did have an encounter out in the wild nevertheless. North of the Brooks Range, he was tracking/following a wounded caribou, came loping over a hill and hello, there I was. He came over, investigated within about 40 to 50 feet and yeah, I’m pretty sure that he would have made mighty short work of me. A 12 ga 870 pump slug across his bow though convinced him that the caribou was a better option. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-run-head-long-into-a-wolverine-what-do-you-do-could-you-take-him-her/318467/19 "2005-08-24T20:52:25Z")
You don’t have to be faster than the wolverine. You just have to be faster than your wife. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-run-head-long-into-a-wolverine-what-do-you-do-could-you-take-him-her/318467/20 "2005-08-24T21:19:34Z")
You don’t have to be faster than the wolverine, you just have to yell to your husband that you have the car keys. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-run-head-long-into-a-wolverine-what-do-you-do-could-you-take-him-her/318467.md?page=2)