Wolverine vs. Wolverine

If you are a comic book or Hugh Jackman fan, chances are you are familiar with the X-Men character Wolverine. The superhero, Wolverine has retractable claws, an adamantine skeleton, the power to heal quickly and when played by Hugh Jackman, the power to make women swoon. What about the animal that is the character’s namesake? Is the animal also a superhero? The wolverine, King of Weasels and of the wild North has a few of its own special powers. So if a wolverine and Wolverine duked it out in a man meets beast challenge who would win? Let’s find out…

Challenge Number One: Foot Race in the Snow

The wild wolverine lives primarily in Northern climates. The more snow, the more wolverines. It has large feet that keep it on top of the snow and claws that work like crampons for traction, allowing the stout mustelid to storm through the snow at top speed. It can even cover up to 30 miles a day in the softest of powder. Wolverine, the superhero, has to wear snow shoes to stay on top of drifts and with his adamantine skeleton he weighs 300 pounds.

Winner:  Wild wolverine wins the race by a mile! (You’re going to have to dig our sunken superhero out of the snow.)

Challenge Number Two: Eating Contest

The wolverine has strong jaws with a special upper molar that is turned 90 degrees inward. This structure helps it crunch through frozen meat and bone, which is critical when you live in a land that is frozen most of the year. Much of the wolverine’s food is carrion which during below freezing nights becomes rock-hard. If you are a hungry wolverine, no problem. Wolverine, the superhero, however, has teeth just like you and me and if he gobbles down an ice-cold meal too fast, he might get a brain freeze.

Winner: Wild wolverine wins the meat-sicle chow down!  Our man, Wolverine had better figure out how to build a fire and thaw his food.

Challenge Number Three: Digging Friends Out of an Avalanche

Harsh winters with deep snow are excellent habitat for wolverines which with their incredible sense of smell and powerful claws are able to dig for buried animals. Rodents, which burrow under deep snow, are a mainstay in the wolverine’s diet. It is also not uncommon for elk and moose to be trapped in avalanches during harsh winters and the wolverine takes full advantage of this buried treasure. The superhero Wolverine could also sniff you out and with his adamantine claws and incredible endurance could dig you out with ease.

Winner: Tie. (But it might be preferable to be dug from the snow by someone who doesn’t consider you a meal.)

Challenge Number Four: Hand to Hand Combat

Wolverines can run in the snow, wrestle with agility and use their semi-retractable claws to climb trees as well as defend themselves. They can even swim. The strong mammal also has a reputation for being aggressive and tough. Wolverine the superhero has enhanced agility and reflexes as well as the ability to heal quickly. In the end though, the wild wolverine has one thing that Wolverine does not, a stink bomb. With well-developed musk glands, the wolverine can raise it tail and musk enemies in defense much like a skunk.

Winner: The wild wolverine wins! While humans pose the greatest danger to wolverines in the wild, we’re pretty sure the superhero with his enhanced sense of smell will retreat after going nose to tail with the skunk bear!

I think it’s safe to say that in the contest of wolverine against Wolverine, our furry friend on four legs wins!

Want to know more about Wolverines? Watch Casey Anderson explore their world, wrestle with and even be rescued by wolverines on America the Wild: Wolverine King, which premieres Sunday, March 11 at 8PM EST/PST!

Speaking of Casey, who do you think he’d rather face off against?