Reproduction

Mating occurs between June and August, when males and females keep company. The rest of the year, they live apart. Females give birth in a den during late winter. There are usually two, sometimes three kits. When they are 9-10 weeks old, they begin to follow the mother on her rounds. The young become sexually mature in slightly less than two years. Reproduction usually begins later.

Population

The wolverine has always followed the reindeer; the two species wandered into Sweden at the same time. Today, the Swedish population is about 700, most of it bound to the mountain regions with the reindeer. The population appears to increase slowly and in recent years the wolverine has established itself in forest areas. The wolverine is legally protected since 1969.