Nice drawing. It's cool that you provided drawings for the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. Given that you have an interest in wildlife, there are a few things I would like to point out about the information provided.

The wolverine is not the largest mustelid. That title belongs to either the giant otter (the longest) or the sea otter (the heaviest). I would also give a more comprehensive view of their circumstances by including that:

They are more sociable than previously thought. Adult males and females can form lasting relationships and travel together outside of the breeding season. The wolverine is also one of few mustelid species to exhibit paternal care, allowing matured kits to continue using their territory until they establish their own.

Wolverines are not as invulnerable as commonly portrayed. Starvation, avalanches, territorial disputes with conspecifics, human activity and even mountaineering accidents are all common sources of mortality. It is rare a wolverine dies of old age. They are not so much death messengers as they are staring death in the face everyday. As for observations that they can kick bear and wolves off their prey, wolves (especially in packs) are major predators of wolverines. Bear and mountain lion attacks are also common sources of mortality. That Wolverine vs Wolf video makes it seem like that's the usual outcome when it could have easily went the other way.

I recommend watching Wolverine – One Tough Mother https://www.terramater.at/productio.....-tough-mother/

This page also has some good up-to-date information regarding the species: https://www.genuinemustelids.org/family/wolverine/

Thanks for the feedback and the information update! The text is from 2012, so maybe I should have fact-checked a bit more - but I had genuinely forgotten about the sea-otter, so thanks for pointing that out.

I've watched some documentaries of wolverines as I find them really fascinating but I didn't know about their social behaviour. I've noticed that many previously considered 'solitary' animals actually seem to lead more social lives than people initially thought.

I would say that parental care is universal among mammals though, so I won't consider the wolverine unique in that. Unless you mean something else than the mother taking care of her young? Do you mean bi-parental care?

Ah yeah true. They aren't really messengers of death and they lead hard lives too. Very hard lives. Predators have to work very hard. The reason for this title was to get a bit of a mystical, dark impression of this fascinating predator. Maybe it's a bit too negative? Do you have a better suggestion for a drawing that fits this dramatic dark aesthetic?

No problem! I often hear this being said so I don't blame you.

Yes. I meant in that both the mother and father play a part in rising their young.

It's only negative in the sense that many people take language like "death messenger" too literally when it comes to animals like mustelids, and use that as an excuse to demonise, and at times persecute or kill them in part because of fear. I have spent many years with a team devoted to educating the public about mustelids and have seen the consequences of certain sensational language and depictions.

I think your drawing is nice, I wouldn't change it. But if you'd like to give a more positive message while maintaining a dark aesthetic, I would bring attention to the fact they don't have it easy and are not always in control. Like most mustelids, not enough attention is given to that side of their story. Honestly, I would love to see a drawing of a wolverine (or any mustelid) being chased by another predator to showcase this. It's so common, yet I only ever see depictions of them doing the chasing.

Indeed. Unfortunately, after a couple of minutes or so you are no longer able to edit your post. This has happened to me a few times!

Oh, that is actually enough reason to consider changing the title... I will think about something else.
Wolverines are quite feared in Norway (where I live) and I see all this kind of negative language about predators all the time and it doesn't improve the chances for any form of sustainable coexistence between humans and large carnivores . Norway sucks at that in general. I've been part of some program where we explored the role of art in changing attitudes for the better as well, but it was biased towards lynx. This wolverine drawing was a personal idea and the title quite random, so I really don't mind changing it into something better, less negative.
Do you have any suggestions?

I am sorry for the wait; it has been a busy two weeks.

I have heard how much they are demonized in Norway by a Norwegian friend of mine, and I always find it interesting how bad it is. One day I hope to work with my team to write an article about it.

I have thought about it, but I really can't think of any suggestions at the moment. Part because there is a lot on my mind (just moved), and also because I don't feel right suggesting a title for your drawing. I would feel better if it was purely chosen by you based on the conversation we have had. :)

Ohh I think I've seen this documentary actually! I remember her name and I remember some scene where she's been chased up a tree by a pack of wolves and that she had her cubs in a den under rocks and snow.

(it seems like you cannot edit a comment in FA?? it just adds a new one)