Wolverine. The cigar-smoking, claw-sknikting rebel who casts his lot with the X-Men. The name conjurs up images of Hugh Jackman clawing his way through a cast of overacting villains on his way to the truth in the latest Wolverine movie.
Wolverine the Animal
It's not uncommon for fans, however, to not realize that "Wolverine" is not just a play on the word "Wolf", but rather an animal in its own right, and a fierce one at that. The Wolverine, from whom the Michigan University Wolverines take their name, once roamed the northern United States but is now restricted to northern Canada.
Wolverine movie
The comic book character, a fierce, independent man with experience in Canada, embodied many characteristics of the animal Wolverine, so it was natural for Marvel Comics writer Len Wein to assign him the name.
The Wolverine does not travel in packs as the Wolf does, and has been known to chase Wolves from their kill. It is not related to canines or bears closely but rather the weasel family, of which the Wolverine is the largest member.
Real Life Wolverine
When the 2009 movie starring Hugh Jackman as the enigmatic Wolverine was leaked online earlier this year, interest in the film skyrocketed, yet many fans still didn't comprehend the origin of the hero's name. "Wolverine" was a cool-sounding hero's name, leaving many surprised to learn it is an actual animal.
Along with wolves and other wildlife, Wolverines are known to fight one another for food. Their thick coat provides protection in the winter but has made them a target for the fur industry. Just as with their existence, ignorance of the Wolverines' plight has seen popular opinion remain uninformed of this issue.
The popular character Wolverine and the eponymous film have done little to popularize the problems facing the noble creature. Wolverines are not yet considered an endangered species but it is only a matter of time before the twin dangers of fur and human development will force them out of their natural habitat and into eventual extinction.
X-Men's Wolverine - the Animal
The slow-moving Wolverine stalks its prey and surprises it, jumping from trees or brush to stun larger mammals. Despite competition from wolves, however, the Wolverine's greatest threat is man.
The Wolverine's numbers are declining. The species' once-great range has been compromised by human encroachment, and the fur industry is no match for the destructive effect of human progress. Only through greater awareness can the Wolverine hope to survive in an increasingly fragile environment.
Scott Ferguson - Law student and journalist with interest in politics and sport. I am the Toronto correspondent for American Soccer News and a regular ...
