Walruses have an air sac under their throat, which helps them float in the water so they can sleep! The tusks of a full grown walrus can weigh 12 pounds. View our Cookie Policy for more information, Sign up to get the latest WWF news delivered straight to your inbox. Walruses have long tusks and a prominent mustache. ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Walruses use these flippers to swim in water. "Meet the Animals 8: WalrusMeet the Walrus, a sea mammal who lives near the Arctic Circle!Meet the Animals introduces kids to popular wild animals. Adaptability: The walrus’ other unique characteristics are equally valuable. Walruses generally breathe at the surface for about one minute after every five to eight minutes of subsurface activity. And as the Arctic opens up to more shipping, tourism, industry and noise, the Atlantic walruses are at greater threat of disturbance, and therefore stampedes. Walrus Facts For Kids Walruses swim at an average speed to 4.35 mph (7km/h), but can reach speeds of 21.74 mph (35 km/h). Walruses have young fairly infrequently, so it is vital for them to protect their offspring. By using ThoughtCo, you accept our, Walruses Are Related to Seals and Sea Lions, Walruses Have More Blood Than a Land Mammal of Their Size, Walruses Insulate Themselves With Blubber, As Sea Ice Disappears, Walruses Face Increased Threats, The Difference Between Sea Lions and Seals, The Family Otariidae: Characteristics of Eared Seals and Sea Lions, Facts About Narwhals, the Unicorns of the Sea, Harp Seal Facts (Pagophilus groenlandicus), Fascinating Facts About Arctic Bearded Seal, 10 Facts You Should Know About Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises, M.S., Resource Administration and Management, University of New Hampshire, B.S., Natural Resources, Cornell University. Walrus (Odobenidae) Species name. This comes from the Latin words for "tooth-walking sea-horse." Their tusks are also used for fighting with other walruses, and defence against predators. Walruses are the only member of their taxonomic family, Odobenidae. The walrus is a large marine mammal that is famous for its mustache and long, ivory tusks. Sexually Dimorphic– Walruses are sexually dimorphic, which means you can tell the difference between males and females by looking at them. The walrus's scientific name is Odobenus rosmarus. Length No, they are not at all dangerous if they are not disturbed, but if they show aggression, it is better to stay away from them, because stopping a carcass weighing several tons is quite problematic. These animals are well adapted for swimming, but most—especially "true" seals and walruses—move awkwardly on land. Climate change poses a huge threat to our future. They feed on the shallow continental shelf in the Chukchi Sea. While walruses are typically a cinnamon brown colour, they can … These help the walrus change direction while swimming underwater. This skin … The word pinniped comes from the Latin words for ​wing- or fin-footed, in reference to the fore- and hindlimbs of these animals, which are flippers. Although walruses are harvested by natives in Russia and Alaska, a 2012 study shows that an even greater threat than harvesting may be the stampedes that kill young walruses. Walruses are carnivores that feed on bivalves such as clams and mussels, as well as tunicates, fish, seals, and dead whales. Walruses are incredibly well adapted to living in some of the coldest regions in the world with thick skin that covers a thick layer of blubber (fat) that helps to keep them warm. No Comments. They use these tusks to help them haul themselves out of the water and onto sea ice. Sign up to be kept informed about our conservation work and how you can help such as fundraising, campaigning and events. - Both male and female walrus have large tusks and they use them to break ice as well as for defense. There ​are one species and two subspecies of walrus, all living in cold regions in the Northern Hemisphere. Each flipper has five fingers. Laptevi Walrus. It is considered by some as its own order, and by others as an infra-order under the order Carnivora. They have 18 teeth, two of which are canine teeth that grow to form their long tusks. Younger walrus have dark brown skin, but they get lighter as they get older until they almost turn pink. Most of them carry a vast map scars on their skin – wounds inflicted in disputes with fellow walrus during the breeding season. There is disagreement over the classification of the taxonomic group Pinnipedia. Walruses are easily recognizable marine animals due to their long tusks, obvious whiskers, and wrinkled brown skin. Walruses have very thick whiskers that are very sensitive, helping them find clams, shrimp, crabs, tube worms and other small invertebrates on the seafloor. Carnivores (Carnivora) Family. Climate change is driven by us, but it can be fixed by us. While underwater, walrus heart rates slow down so that they do not become too cold. Walruses give birth after a gestation period of about 15 months. WALRUS FUN FACTS: - Adult walrus are typically about 7.25 - 11.5 feet in size and can weigh up to 1.5 tons (3,000 lbs or 1,360 kg)! These large marine mammals are found near the Arctic Circle. Walruses have grey to brown skin and 6 inches thick layer of blubber, which ensures thermal insulation. Here's the Skindex Zoo's latest arrival, a walrus! Sir Charlesworth V (@peacelovewrinkles) is one famous walrus dog on the gram that gives you a sneak peek into the day-to-day life of a walrus dog. Tasty. Their enormous tusks were originally thought to aid them when feeding but are know known to be more do with social status and even help with mobility. As you read these walrus facts you can be confident that your knowledge about them is going to continue to expand. Walruses need ice for hauling out, resting, giving birth, nursing, molting, and protecting themselves from predators. They often feed on the ocean bottom ​and use their whiskers (vibrissae) to sense their food, which they suck into their mouths in a swift motion. Adopt an animal today and help protect some of our most endangered wildlife and support other vital work around our planet. During the mating season they are quite aggressive. On their head region, walruses lack external ear flaps, have hundreds of short, vibrissae (whiskers), and both males and females possess large tusks. During this time, sea ice may retreat so far offshore that walruses retreat to coastal areas, rather than floating ice. These ever growing gatherings can be deadly, especially for young calves. Facts and Information Social interaction is a big part of life for the walrus. and can be as long as 3.2 meters (10.5 feet), according to the Animal Diversity Web (ADW), a database maintained by the Museum of Zoology at the University of Michigan. June 7, 2019. Odobenus rosmarus, the walrus binomial name, means “tooth-walking sea horse. There are unlabeled photographs. Walruses have large, flabby bodies covered in brown or pink skin. more than females, and are generally much larger than their female counterparts. Walruses insulate themselves from cold water with their blubber. Male Pacific walruses can reach 3.6 m long and weigh over 1,500kg (that’s 1.5 tonnes!). It has three subspecies: Atlantic Walrus, Pacific Walrus and O. r. laptevi. They are growing in popularity on Instagram. Their faces feature two small eyes, a mustache and two long tusks.Walruses weigh from 600 to 1,500 kilograms (1,320 to 3,300 lbs.) Walruses climb up on ice or beaches to sleep or to rest. Those tusks, which grow continuously, can reach lengths of up to 40 centimetres. 1. Their name, Odobenus rosmarus, means 'one that walks with teeth'. There could be increased water shortages, changes in food production, and more extreme weather events – from flooding to droughts. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, male walruses are about 20 percent longer and 50 percent heavier than females. Male Pacific walrus are slightly larger, with longer … Walruses usually swim at an average speed of 7 km/h (4.3 mph), but are able to swim as fast as 35 km/h (21.7 mph). Each one features from 400 to 700 whiskers. It is closely related to eared and true seals. They move awkwardly on land but are swift in the water. Short fur covers most of their bodies except for their fins. Here you’ll find many interesting walrus facts for kids. Fast Facts Class. The Arctic is warming at twice the rate of anywhere else on Earth. Walrus use their mighty tusks to forage and lift themselves up onto sea ice. • A walrus’s most noticeable feature is its tusks, and that was the basis for the scientific name Odobenus rosmarus. Blubber not only provides insulation but can help make the walrus more streamlined in the water and also provides an energy source during times when food is scarce. And big is beautiful – they… It is latin for tooth walking sea-horse. And big is beautiful – they need fat to stay alive. It was a fun request by SnakesAndLadders. These walruses use sea ice for resting between feeding bouts, breeding, giving birth and nursing their young, as well as for shelter from rough seas and predators. Male Pacific walruses can reach 3.6 m long and weigh over 1,500kg (that’s 1.5 tonnes!). She serves as the executive director of the Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation. This pinniped is found throughout the cold waters of the Arctic and has several biological adaptations that help it survive here. As the world climate warms, there is less availability of sea ice, especially in the summer. Melting sea ice means more Pacific walruses are resting on land, further from their feeding grounds. Discover more fascinating facts about walruses, the largest pinniped. Mighty walruses only seem harmless and awkward. They consume foods from the bottom of the water including mollusks such as clams. Here are 10 things everyone should know about these majestic ocean wonders. There are white and pink walruses. Walrus are migrational so where they live will vary based on the time of the year. They have broad head and small eyes. Male walruses can weigh over 1,000 lbs. Hope you guys like it! And it shows. Walruses are social and live in herds. You can unsubscribe at any time. Interesting Walrus Facts: Adult walruses have between 2000 and 3000 pounds in weight and can reach 12 feet in length. The photographs are half of the story pages. Due to the large size of these animals … These tusks are not used for finding or piercing food, but for making breathing holes in sea ice, anchoring to the ice during sleep, and during competitions between males over females. There's thought to be around 25,000 Atlantic and around 200,000 Pacific walrus in the wild. Front flipper. 25 interesting walrus facts. Odobenus rosmarus . A walrus is a large, reddish brown animal that lives both in the water and on land near the Arctic Circle. The movements during migration can be time consuming. Both male and female walruses have tusks, although a male's can grow to 3 feet in length, while a female's tusks grow to about 2 1/2 feet. Learn what makes these animals so interesting below! The gestation period is made longer by a period of delayed implantation, in which the fertilized egg takes three to five months to implant into the uterine wall. The tusks are also useful for creating breathing holes when the walrus are swimming under the ice. The feeding habits of the walrus are very interesting. Walruses can use their tusks to help haul themselves up onto the ice, which is likely where this reference came from. When fearing a predator or human activity (such as a low-flying aircraft), walruses may stampede and trample calves and yearlings. They are seen in very large numbers on land or on pieces of ice. A walrus … Walruses are sexually dimorphic. - They live up to 40 years in the wild. To prevent oxygen loss underwater, walruses can store oxygen in their blood and muscles when they dive. 2. When most people think of the walrus, they think of the big tusks the animals use to haul themselves out of the water. Walrus, (Odobenus rosmarus), also called morse, huge, seal-like mammal found in Arctic seas. We need your help to give rangers the strength and safety they need, and to tackle poaching and demand for products like ivory. Jennifer Kennedy, M.S., is an environmental educator specializing in marine life. There are three species of walrus – Atlantic Walrus, Pacific Walrus, and O.R. A mother will pick a calf up with her flippers and hold it to her chest if it’s threatened, diving into the water with it to escape predators. The name of the walrus means “tooth walker”. Animal Facts: Walrus. In these coastal areas, there is less food, conditions may become crowded, and the walruses are more susceptible to predation and human activities. Gomphotaria pugnax patrolled the shores of … Just about everyone can recognize these creatures by their long tusks and blubbery bodies. If we lose the battle to stabilise the polar regions, people and nature around the planet will suffer. Facts About the Walrus, Volume 253 - This is a better book than the Rhino volume, but many pages are advertisements. Walruses usually have one calf, although twins have been reported. This makes sure that the mother has the calf at a time when she has the necessary nutrition and energy, and that the calf is born during favorable environmental conditions. The walrus has a pair of large front flippers. The Atlantic and Pacific – which both occupy different areas of the Arctic. The mustached and long-tusked walrus is most often found near the Arctic Circle, lying on the ice with hundreds of companions. The name is Latin for “tooth-walking seahorse,” and it comes from the walrus’s habit of using its tusks like a climber’s ice ax to haul itself onto ice sheets or cling to the edge while it floats in the water. During their mass gatherings, stampedes can occur as easily spooked walruses attempt to reach the water. One Prehistoric Species Had Two Sets of Tusks. Walruses dig their tusks into ice floes to help them haul their enormous bodies out of the water but also anchor their tusks into the ice so they are able to sleep whilst their bodies rem… Fun Facts about the Walrus! Unlike Pacific walruses, Atlantic walruses prefer to rest ashore, as most feeding grounds in the Atlantic are closer to land. They have also been known to feed on seals carcasses in the area when they need to. Their blubber layer fluctuates according to time of year, the animal's life stage and how much nutrition it has received, but may be as much as 6 inches thick. Eight final walrus facts: Walruses spend about two thirds of their life in the water. Overall, walruses can grow to about 11 to 12 feet in length and weights of 4,000 pounds. In water, walrus can reach 35 km/h, but they prefer a sedate 7 km/h. Walruses are very distinctive having a large, robust, fusiform body that is usually reddish-brown in color. 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