Wolverines (Gulo gulo) are members of the mustelid family that inhabit the expansive circumboreal wilderness, navigating arctic, subarctic and alpine terrains [1]. There are two subspecies of wolverine. The first is the Eurasian wolverine (Gulo gulo gulo) that spans Finland, Norway, Russia, Germany, Ukraine, China and Sweden. The second is the North American wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus) that lives in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Washington and Wyoming [[2], [3], [4]]. In Canada, their habitat includes the forested regions of the north and west, the alpine tundra of the western mountain ranges and the arctic tundra zones [5].

As the largest land-dwelling members of the mustelid family, adult males are 30–40 % heavier than the females and generally weigh 11–18 kg, while adult females weigh 6–12 kg [2,4]. Wolverines have adapted their generalist diet to encompass diverse prey and scavenging items, ranging from semi-domesticated reindeer in the Palearctic realm to various ungulates, rodents and avian species in the Nearctic realm [4].

Originating in the Nearctic realm during the Pliocene era, wolverines have evolved to develop intricate connections to their habitats. Their proclivity for steep, rugged terrains and snow-covered landscapes underscores their reclusive nature, as manifested by the strategic establishment of dens, often situated away from human activities. The wolverine is regarded as an indicator species that reflects potential ecological changes within the northern ecosystems [4]. Death from starvation has been reported at a higher rate than predation-related mortalities in North America, suggesting food was challenging to procure due to human activities [6]. However, the potential role of oral disease in morbidity and mortality is largely unknown.

Like other members of the Mustelidae family, wolverines have 38 permanent teeth, including incisor, canine, premolar and molar teeth (I3/3, C1/1, P4/4, M1/2) (Fig. 1). The maxillary fourth premolar and mandibular first molar teeth represent prominent carnassial teeth characteristic of many carnivores [7]. Trends of tooth number reduction and displacement (rotation) in the wolverine have been documented and may go along with the increase in carnassial size in the Pleistocene epoch. Narrowing of the palatal bone has also been noted, along with missing and rotated teeth [8].

Despite the prevailing scholarly attention accorded to their behaviour and ecology, the dental pathology of wolverines remains an understudied facet of their biology [4,8]. Assessing dental pathology offers valuable behavioural, ecological and genetic insights [9]. Oral abnormalities commonly result from environmental factors, inherited characteristics or embryonic abnormalities. Moreover, dental problems and irregularities impact an organism's survival and overall fitness. Comparatively, information about the oral health of wild carnivores will also improve husbandry techniques for caring for captive mustelids. The objective of this study was to characterize the nature and prevalence of dental pathology in the North American wolverine by examining museum specimen skulls.