Posted in Michigan Fun Facts, State Pride March 27, 2023 by

Few People Know The Real Reason Why Michigan Is Called The Wolverine State

Our state is referred to as the Great Lake State, the Mitten State, and the Wolverine State. You would think Michigan being called the Wolverine State means that wolverines are common in our forests. But have you ever seen this furry and furious creature cross your path?

Most people would assume that wolverines live in our state but that is not the case.
RiverNorthPhotography/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
There has never been a verified trapping of a wolverine within the Michigan border. There had never been a verified sighting of a wolverine in our state until 2004.
Susanne Nilsson/Flickr
The state nickname likely came from Michigan’s rich fur trading history. Years before Michigan became a state, fur trading was a vital industry around the Great Lakes.
Part of: Ernest Brown collection. [1] Photos by C.W. Mathers and Ernest Brown (1877-1951). [2], Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Furs that were sold in our state included wolverine pelts from Canada and other states which may have been referred to as “Michigan Wolverines.” The nickname has stuck around ever since.
William Warby/Flickr
Wolverines may look friendly and cuddly but they have jaws strong enough to bite down on frozen meat and bone. The furry animal is also known to be hostile when hungry.
Michigan The Wolverine State
Cloudtail the Snow Leopard/Flickr
We can’t be totally sure that fur trading is where the nickname came from and another theory is that Ohioans referred to Michiganders as wolverines because of our strength and determination. Or Ohio thought of us as greedy and gluttonous, like the furious wolverine.
Of course, the wolverine nickname has been carried forward by the University of Michigan and its 29 athletic teams. The Michigan Wolverines football team has a loyal fan base due to the team scoring the most wins in college football history.
陈迪/Google

Do you think Michigan should continue to be called the Wolverine State? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Since you hopefully learned something new about our state, check out this article for 11 More Quirky Facts About Michigan That Sound Made Up, But Are 100% Accurate.

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