Wolverines are one of the least known and understood mammals in the Northern Hemisphere. These members of the weasel family are powerful and versatile carnivores and they have nasty reputation. Whether eating live prey or carrion, the wolverine's feeding style appears voracious, leading to the nickname of "glutton" (also the basis of the scientific name). In reality very little is known about their lives, habits or social interactions. Elusive and shy they are the very embodiment of wilderness and wild places. In many parts of their range they are like phantoms - more mythological than real.