What essential feature do female wolverines utilize for excavating dens to protect kits?
Answer
Deep snow drifts
The survival of wolverine kits is highly dependent on the successful creation of secure maternity dens. Female wolverines specifically excavate these dens within deep snow drifts during the late winter and spring months. This reliance on deep snow is crucial because the resulting snow layer provides essential insulation and protection for the vulnerable young kits from both temperature extremes and potential predators, tying their reproduction success directly to snow persistence.
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