The wolverine is among the most elusive mammals of Canada's northern forests and tundra. Although it belongs to the same family as weasels and otters, it is far larger and stockier, with a thick brown coat and a pale stripe running along each side. Despite its modest size, the wolverine has a reputation for remarkable strength; what it lacks in bulk is made up for in sheer determination, and it will defend a kill against animals many times its weight. Once found across much of the country, this solitary hunter was trapped close to extinction in parts of southern Canada before careful protection allowed some populations to partly rebound.

The wolverine's most distinctive feature is its coat, which is prized for a rare quality. The long outer guard hairs do not hold moisture, so any frost that forms from a person's breath can be brushed off easily rather than freezing solid. For this reason, northern peoples have long used wolverine fur to trim the hoods of winter parkas, where ordinary fur would freeze stiff against the breath. The dense underfur beneath these guard hairs traps warmth and allows the animal to remain active through the coldest months. Even in deep snow, the wolverine's broad, furred paws spread its weight and let it travel where heavier predators cannot.