Largest terrestrial mustelid

The largest terrestrial member of the mustelid or weasel family is the wolverine (Gulo gulo) with a height of 38 cm (15 in) and length of 101 cm (40 in). An adult male typically weighs 12–14 kg (26–30 lb), while an adult female weighs 8–10 kg (17–22 lb). The largest male ever recorded by The Wolverine Foundation in the USA was 25 kg (55 lb).

Wolverines are bear-like in appearance, although behave in a manner characteristic of the weasel. They are cave/den dwelling animals, designed to scavenge, in all seasons, thus they do not hibernate.

They are found in the boreal forests of Canada, Russia, Scandinavia, the USA, Estonia and Mongolia.

Other aquatic members of the mustelid family are larger: the South American giant otter or saro (Pteronura brasiliensis) is up to 1.8 m (6 ft) long, tail included and weighs 26-34 kg (57-75 lb) in males and 22-26 kg (48.5-57 lb) in females. The heaviest aquatic mustelid is the sea otter (Enhydra lutris), which is shorter than the saro, typically measuring only 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in) in total length, but can weigh up to 37 kg (81.5 lb).