Walrus Unique

Animals Unique | Walrus Unique | The walrus is a large marine mammal That has flippers to help it swim. The walrus is found in the colder waters of the Northern Hemisphere, but the walrus is much more specifically adapted to the conditions of the Arctic Circle.

There are three species of walrus. The Atlantic walrus, the Pacific walrus and the Laptev walrus found in the Laptev Sea. The walrus is most closely related to the seal and although the walrus and the seals are obviously similar, the walrus has some distinctive features, Such as the large Tusks on the face of the walrus.

The walrus Hunts fish and small Mammals in the Arctic Circle. For a few hundred years, the walrus has been hunted by the Arctic people for meat, oil and the skins of the walrus walrus hunting but has led to the extinction of the walrus on many small islands within the Arctic circle. Today, only the Native Americans are allowed to hunt the walrus as Often it can be one of the only sources of food for Hundreds of miles.

 

The walrus is a marine mammal and particularly Sociable Often can be seen in large groups. Walrus' can be heard grunting and making loud bellowing noises at each other but They Become particularly aggressive during the mating season. The male walrus displays the most aggressive behavior as the lazy to have to fight to gain the respect of a female walrus.

 

Walrus' the which have long white Tusks They use for Helping them to survive in the tough conditions of the Arctic circle. Both the male and the female walrus walruses have long Tusks the which can reach nearly a metre in length. Walrus' use Their Tusks for a number of Reasons Including breaking holes in the ice, hauling Their large bodies out of the water and onto the ice, and defend Themselves. The walrus also has a thick layer of fat under Their skin, known as blubber, the which keeps the walrus warm in the sub-zero temperatures and walrus' also have long, sensitive Whiskers the which They use as detective devices to find Their favorite meal of shellfish on the dark ocean floor.

 

The male walrus (bull) is nearly double the size Often of the female walrus (cow). Walrus' can be found in groups of up to 2.000 walrus individuals Generally the which consists of the alpha male and his group of Females and Their Young. The alpha male walrus walrus will defend his clan from other large male walrus' that are Trying to infiltrate the group and steal the attention of his female followers.

Walrus' are thought to mate about once a year during the colder winter months. After a gestation period of just over a year, the female walruses Gives birth to her fully developed walrus calf. The walrus calf stays with it's mother until it is at least 2 years old. This prolonged period of nursing That means the walrus calf can develop it's warm and insulating layer of blubber the which is vital to the survival of the walrus in the freezing conditions the which the walrus inhabits.

 

The walrus has a Carnivorous diet consists of the which Mainly shellfish and echinoderms Such as starfish and sea urchins. Occasionally will the walrus hunt fish, seals and young whales. The walrus uses it's enormous Tusks to hold larger prey down so That the walrus can then eat it.

Walrus Unique Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: mammals
Order: Carnivora
Family: Odobenidae
Genus: Odobenus
Scientific Name: Odobenus Rosmarus
Type: Mammal
Diet: Carnivore
Size: 2.5-3.6m (8-12ft)
Weight: 800 to 2.000 kg (0.9-2.2tons)
Top Speed: 35km / h (21.7mph)
Life Span: 40-50 years
Lifestyle: Herd
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Colour: Brown, Tan
Skin Type: Fur
Favourite Food: Clams
Habitat: Cold, shallow water close to land
Average Litter Size: 1
Main Prey: Clams, Squid, Octopus, Crabs
Predators: Human, Polar Bear, Killer Whale
Special Features: Thick blubber layer under the skin and large, strong Tusks