What factor distinguishes a viable, breeding wolverine population from temporary traverse areas?
Answer
Requires specific, reliable environmental anchors like persistent deep snowpack
A crucial distinction exists between an area where a wolverine might temporarily pass through and a location that can actually support sustained survival, including the essential processes of denning and raising kits. For sustained viability, the animal needs what are termed specific, reliable environmental anchors. Based on environmental data, this reliability is often predicated on persistent, deep snowpack, frequently associated with elevations exceeding 6,000 feet in the lower 48 states, rather than just latitude alone.
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