Walruses are one of the most iconic animals of the Arctic. They are large, blubbery mammals that live in the icy waters near the North Pole. There are two species of walrus: the Pacific walrus and the Atlantic walrus. Both species are considered to be vulnerable to extinction due to hunting and climate change.
Pacific Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)
The Pacific walrus is the largest species of walrus. Males can grow to be up to 11 feet long and weigh up to 3500 pounds! Females are smaller, typically reaching lengths of around nine feet and weights of up to 1600 pounds.
Walruses have a thick layer of blubber, which helps to keep them warm in the cold Arctic waters. They also have long tusks, which can be up to three feet long. Walruses use their tusks for a variety of purposes, including breaking through ice, digging for food, and fighting.
Walruses are social animals and live in herds of up to several thousand individuals. They are mostly found on sea ice, where they rest and give birth. Walruses feed on a variety of marine creatures, including clams, crabs, and snails.
Atlantic Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus)
The Atlantic walrus is smaller than the Pacific walrus, with males reaching lengths of around nine feet and weights of up to 2000 pounds. Females are typically seven feet long and weigh up to 1100 pounds.
Like the Pacific walrus, the Atlantic walrus has a thick layer of blubber and long tusks. It also lives in herds and feeds on a variety of marine creatures. However, the Atlantic walrus is less social than the Pacific walrus and is typically found in smaller groups.
The Atlantic walrus is also more likely to be found on land, rather than on sea ice. This is because there is less sea ice in the Atlantic Ocean than in the Pacific Ocean.
Walrus characteristics
Walruses are quite interesting. For example, they have long tusks made of ivory that can grow up to three feet in length. They also have whiskers on their face that are up to two feet long! And did you know that walruses can weigh up to four thousand pounds?
Walrus Diet – What do walruses eat?
Their diet consists mainly of clams and other shellfish that they suck out of the mud on the ocean floor. They also eat squid, octopus, crabs, and fish. To get to their food, they use their long tusks to break through the ice.
Walrus Behavior
Walruses are social animals and live in herds of up to several thousand individuals. Females and young walruses stick together in groups while the males tend to live alone or in small groups.
During mating season, the male walruses will fight each other for the chance to mate with a female. The winner of these fights will mate with several females and then go off on his own again.
Walrus calves are born weighing around sixty to one hundred pounds. They can swim and dive soon after birth but stay close to their mothers for protection.
Lifespan of Walrus
Walruses can live to be around thirty to forty years old in the wild.
Walrus Conservation
Both species of walrus are considered to be vulnerable to extinction. This is due to a variety of factors, including hunting and climate change. Walruses have been hunted for their meat, oil, skin, and tusks. In recent years, the biggest threat to walruses has been climate change. As the Arctic warms and the sea ice melts, walruses are losing their habitat. This is a serious problem, as walruses rely on the sea ice for resting, giving birth, and feeding.
If we want to protect these majestic creatures, it is important to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and stop hunting them. We must also work to conserve their habitat by reducing our impact on the environment. Only then will we be able to ensure that walruses are around for generations to come.
Fun Facts About Walruses
- Their long whiskers help them to find food in the dark and cold waters of the Arctic.
- Walruses can hold their breath for up to thirty minutes at a time when they are diving for food.
- Their skin is thick and covered with small bumps, which helps to protect them from the cold water.
- Walruses have been known to eat up to 6000 clams in a single day!
