What do walruses eat? Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus): photos, species, interesting facts. Message about the walrus

Walrus - the great Arctic giant. When he is not resting on the ice, he spends his time cutting holes in the ice with his long fangs. Through them he obtains food for himself - bivalve mollusks.

External structure

A large sea animal with very thick skin. The upper canines are extremely developed, elongated and directed downwards. The very wide muzzle is lined with numerous thick, hard, flattened whisker bristles (vibrissae); a walrus can have from 400 to 700 of them on the upper lip, arranged in 13-18 rows. There are no external ears and the eyes are small.
The skin is covered with short, adjacent yellow-brown hair, but with age there is less hair, and old walruses have almost completely bare skin. The limbs are more adapted for movement on land than those of true seals, and walruses can walk rather than crawl; soles are calloused. The tail is rudimentary.

Anatomy of a walrus

A walrus uses its tusks to stay on the edge of an ice hole.

Skeleton

Although some Pacific males can weigh up to 2000 kg, most weigh between 800 and 1700 kg. The Atlantic subspecies weighs 10-20% less. Atlantic walruses also tend to have relatively short tusks and a somewhat flatter muzzle. Some males of the Pacific subspecies were much larger than normal. Females weigh about a third less, Atlantic females on average 560 kg, sometimes weighing only 400 kg, and Pacific females on average 794 kg with a length of 2.2 to 3.6 m. The incisors of the upper jaw are small or completely reduced, in the lower jaw there are no incisors. The testes are hidden under the skin-fat layer and are not located in the scrotum. Walruses usually have 2 pairs of mammary glands, sometimes more, and it is not uncommon to have 5 nipples (source not specified 281 days). Thus, out of 7 walruses of the Pacific and Atlantic subspecies, which are kept in the zoo of Udmurtia and in Harderwijk, the Netherlands (Dolfinarium Harderwijk), three have five teats each. Males have paired air sacs without closing valves, formed by a protrusion of the upper esophagus. The bags inflate under the skin of the neck, turning upward, and allow the walrus to float vertically in the water during sleep.

Tusks

The most characteristic feature of the walrus is its long tusks. These are elongated fangs that are present in both sexes and can reach a length of 1 m and weigh up to 5.4 kg. The tusks are slightly longer and thicker on males, which use them for fighting. Males with the largest tusks usually dominate the social group. The tusks are also used to form and support holes in the ice and help walruses climb out of the water onto the ice.

Leather

The skin of walruses is very wrinkled and thick, up to 10 cm on the neck and shoulders of males. The fat layer is up to 15 cm. Young walruses have a dark brown skin color, and as they grow older they lighten and become pale. Old males turn almost pink. Because the blood vessels in the skin constrict in cold water, walruses can turn almost white when swimming. Secondary sexual characteristics for males (in natural conditions) are characterized by growths on the skin of the neck, chest and shoulders.

Subspecies

There are two or three subspecies of walrus:

— Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens ILLIGER, 1811)

— Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus LINNAEUS, 1758)

A third subspecies is often isolated from the Pacific subspecies.

- Laptev walrus (Odobenus rosmarus laptevi CHAPSKII, 1940)

But his independence is questioned by many. The Laptev population is included in the Red Book of Russia as a separate subspecies. According to the IUCN, based on the results of recent studies of mitochondrial DNA and the study of morphometric data, it is necessary to abandon the consideration of the Laptev walrus as an independent subspecies, recognizing it as the westernmost population of the Pacific walrus.

Distribution and populations

The latest estimate, based on a global census conducted in 1990, places the current Pacific walrus population at approximately 200,000 individuals. The majority of the Pacific walrus population spends the summer north of the Bering Strait, in the Chukchi Sea along the northern coast of eastern Siberia, near Wrangel Island, in the Beaufort Sea along the northern coast of Alaska, and is also found in waters between these locations. A small number of males are found in summer in the Gulf of Anadyr, on the southern coast of the Chukotka Peninsula in Siberia, and also in Bristol Bay. In spring and autumn they concentrate from the western coast of Alaska to the Gulf of Anadyr. They winter in the southern parts of the Bering Sea, along the eastern coast of Siberia south to the northern part of the Kamchatka Peninsula, and along the southern coast of Alaska. The 28,000-year-old fossilized remains of a walrus were found near San Francisco Bay, showing the walrus' distribution as far north as the coast of northern California during the last Ice Age.
The Atlantic walrus has been nearly extirpated by uncontrolled commercial fishing, and its population numbers are significantly lower. It is currently difficult to accurately estimate the number, but it probably does not exceed 20 thousand individuals. This population is distributed from Arctic Canada, Greenland, Spitsbergen, and also in the western region of the Russian Arctic. Based on the vast geographic distribution and movement data, there are eight subpopulations of the Atlantic walrus, five in the west and three in the east of Greenland. The Atlantic walrus formerly occupied a range extending south to Cape Cod and was found in large numbers in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In April 2006, the northwestern Atlantic walrus population was listed as nearly extinct in Canada by the Canadian Species at Risk Act (Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador).
The isolated Laptev walrus population is localized throughout the year in the central and western regions of the Laptev Sea, in the easternmost region of the Kara Sea, and in the westernmost part of the East Siberian Sea. The current number is estimated at 5-10 thousand individuals.

Behavior

Laptev walrus - these huge, clumsy animals on land inhabiting the Far North, live mainly near the coast and rarely undertake significant travel. Walruses are sociable and are mostly found in herds; courageously protect each other: in general, walruses in the water are dangerous opponents, as they can capsize or break a boat with their tusks. They themselves rarely attack boats. The herd always posts sentries. Walruses have a well-developed sense of smell, and they sense a person at a considerable distance, so they try to approach them against the wind. Noticing the danger, the sentry roars (which in walruses is something between the mooing of a cow and a rude bark) or jolts wakes up the others, the animals rush into the sea, almost simultaneously go under the water and can stay there without air for up to 10 minutes. The walrus' food consists mainly of elasmobranchs and other benthic invertebrates; walruses sometimes eat fish. In some cases, walruses may attack seals or eat carrion. They keep in groups, females live separately. Walrus cubs are born once every three to four years. Their mother feeds them milk for up to a year; young walruses begin to eat other food at 6 months. They stay with their mother until they are two or three years old. All members of the walrus herd protect the walruses and help them when necessary. If, for example, one of the cubs gets tired of swimming, then it costs him nothing to climb onto the back of one of the adults to rest there peacefully. In general, mutual support and assistance are characteristic of walruses to a very large extent.
There is an opinion that the huge fangs serve mainly for digging out the said mollusks at the bottom, as well as for protection. Also, based on observations of the nature of wear of tusks and the abrasion of vibrissae on the face of walruses, it was suggested that walruses most likely dig the ground not with their tusks, but with the upper edge of their snout, while the tusks play a mainly social role, since they are used in establishing hierarchical relationships and when demonstrating a threat. In addition, they can be used to make and support holes in the ice and to “anchor” to the ice to prevent slipping in strong winds or currents. Observations of walruses in zoos and similar institutions have shown that they often use their tusks in fights among themselves, especially during the mating period. Thanks to the fact that walruses use their tusks to help themselves climb onto ice floes or rocky shores, they received their generic name: “odobenus” in Greek means “walking with teeth” or “walking on teeth.”

Enemies of Walruses

Commercial hunting of walruses is currently prohibited by law in all countries where it is common, despite this, to a limited extent, fishing is allowed to indigenous peoples, whose existence is closely connected with the hunting of this species. Among them are the Chukchi and Eskimos.
Walrus hunting takes place towards the end of summer. Traditionally, all parts of the harvested walrus are used. The meat is often canned and is an important source of protein during the long winter. Fins are fermented and stored as a delicacy until spring. Fangs and bones have historically been used as tools, as well as as ornamental materials. Melted lard is used for heating and lighting. The durable hide is used as rope and for building shelters, as well as for covering boats. Waterproof capes are made from the intestines and stomach. While modern technology has replaced many aspects of walrus use, walrus meat remains an essential part of the indigenous diet, just as tusk crafts form an important part of folklore for many communities.
Walrus hunting is regulated by environmental and resource organizations in Russia, the United States, Canada and Denmark, as well as representatives of hunting communities. It is estimated that between four and seven thousand Pacific walruses are hunted in Alaska and Russia, including a significant proportion (about 42%) of animals injured or lost during hunting. Several hundred individuals are seized annually near Greenland. The impact of this level of fishing on the population is difficult to assess because the population size is currently not well established. However, such important parameters as fertility and mortality rates are unknown.
The impact of global climate change on the walrus population is another factor to consider. In particular, the reduction in the extent and thickness of pack ice has been well documented. It is on this ice that walruses form rookeries during the reproductive period for birth and mating. As a hypothesis, it is hypothesized that decreasing pack ice thickness in the Bering Sea has led to a reduction in suitable resting areas near optimal feeding areas. As a result, the duration of the mother's absence from the nurse increases, which ultimately leads to nutritional stress or a decrease in the reproductive contribution of females. However, scientists still have little data, which makes it difficult to draw a reliable conclusion about the impact of climate change on population trends.
The IUCN list currently lists the walrus as Data Insufficient. The Atlantic and Laptev subspecies living in Russia are included in the Red Book of Russia and classified as category 2 (declining in numbers) and category 3 (rare), respectively. Trade in crafts made from walrus tusks and bones is regulated by the international convention CITES, Appendix 3. The legislation of the Russian Federation regulates the distribution of trophy products among indigenous residents completely free of charge and only for personal use. Currently, commercial hunting of walruses is prohibited in all countries.

Interesting facts

Walrus baculum processed by Aleuts. Length 56 cm.
— The walrus’ baculum (the bone contained in the penis) is about 50 cm long. Both in terms of the absolute length of the baculum and relative to body length, the walrus confidently holds the record among mammals. This is where the curse word “walrus horseradish” came from.
— Swimming in an ice hole in winter is called winter swimming.

Walruses (lat. Odobenus rosmarus) are one of the largest animals inhabiting the northern seas. The body length of an adult animal sometimes reaches five meters, and its weight is up to one and a half tons. With its dimensions, the walrus, among the representatives of its detachment, yields primacy only to the walrus, which inhabits the southern hemisphere.

The body of the animal is very massive and large. The head, in comparison with the body, seems like a small growth on a powerful neck. The limbs of the walrus are flippers. Body color is dark brown.

Long, hard whiskers grow on the upper lip, which help the walrus in finding food. Mustache walrus used for navigation along the seabed, since already at a depth of several tens of meters, due to ice floes on the surface, there is impenetrable darkness.

After carefully observing walruses, you may get the impression that the animal has too much fat. This is true - about 20-25% of the total body weight of a walrus is fat deposits, which act as an energy reserve and protect the animal from the cold.

It is almost impossible to confuse the walrus with any other animal thanks to two massive tusks that protrude down from its mouth. In fact, these are not exactly tusks, but just large upper fangs. They can reach quite impressive sizes. For example, an adult male's tusks can be up to 80 cm long!

Walruses prefer to live in places where the bottom is no more than a hundred meters away. The fact is that most of the walrus’ diet consists of bottom organisms, so the shallower the water column, the less energy spent on diving. However, if life forces it, walruses are capable of diving to 150-200 meters!

After observations carried out by researchers, it turned out that walruses exhale before diving. Having sunk to the bottom, the animal intensively works with its fangs, digging up the soil in search of food. Under water, without air, a walrus can survive for about 10 minutes.

Walruses feed mainly on invertebrate animals: crustaceans, mollusks and worms. An adult animal can eat up to 100 kilograms of food per day!

Among the walruses you can also find real predators. Such individuals are found mainly when there is not enough regular food for everyone, and they attack landing birds. Less common are walruses that hunt constantly, rather than occasionally. Usually these are solitary males, and they even hunt small ones.

In summer, walruses set up real rookeries on shallows or ice floes. Imagine several dozen huge carcasses, each weighing more than a ton, lying close to each other. One walrus leaned his tusks on the back of another, the second threw his fins over his neighbor, and the third decided to take a swim and rushed over the backs of the “vacators” to the water...

Everything would be fine, but this little heap is deadly for kids. The walrus, of course, is not a fragile creature itself (about a hundredweight), but if an adult weighing more than a ton collapses, then expect trouble.

A few walruses who decided to swim do not pose any particular danger, but imagine if there was panic in the herd! Therefore, a ban was adopted on the presence of sea vessels and low-flying aircraft in areas of walrus haulouts. All this was done so as not to disturb the walruses again.

During the breeding season, walruses stay in small family groups - a male, a female and several cubs of different ages. Although males do not form harems around themselves, clashes between them over females occur quite often. Mating takes place from January to February. Pregnancy lasts about 16 months. Most often, one cub is born, less often twins. The newborn weighs just 60 kilograms and reaches a length of 1.3 meters. Babies have no teeth, but they can swim right away!

Cubs stay with their mother until they are 2-3 years old. The female herself becomes very attached to the babies and is ready to protect her child even at the cost of her own life. In case of danger, the female (if the calf is unable to do so) gently pushes the baby walrus to the edge of the ice floe in order to disappear under the water together.

Walruses have few enemies - killer whales, and, of course, people. People have been hunting walruses for several centuries. For example, at the end of the 19th century, about 20,000 heads were destroyed per year. The result of such mass extermination was the complete disappearance of walruses in several parts of the globe. At the moment, a number of conservation measures have been taken, and the walrus population is slowly but surely growing again.

The walrus is the largest representative of pinnipeds in the Northern Hemisphere; its world championship in size is second only to elephant seals from the Southern Hemisphere. Systematically, the walrus is an intermediate link between eared seals (fur seals and sea lions) and true seals and is the only species in the walrus family.

Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus).

The size of walruses is amazing: males reach 3-4.5 m in length, females 2.6-3.6 m, males weigh 1.5-1.8 tons, females are much smaller, their weight is “only” 700-800 kg . Externally, the walrus is more similar to the eared seals. His incredibly massive body has unexpected plasticity and mobility for such a giant, characteristic of fur seals and lions. The hind legs of walruses bend at the heel joint, so they can bend under the body like those of eared seals and take part in movement. At the same time, walruses do not have ears, which makes them similar to real seals. Despite the similarities with other pinnipeds, the walrus has quite unique structural features that make this animal unique. The main difference is a pair of long fangs protruding from the upper jaw in a downward direction. In females their length reaches 30-40 cm, in males 40-50 cm, occasionally 80 cm. The pharynx of walruses has a pouch-like expansion, which acts as a float, reducing the overall density of the body. Another feature is very thick and rough skin, with insignificant rudiments of fur. Only in walrus cubs can you clearly see reddish fur, but in adult walruses it is so sparse that they appear naked. The only “real” hair on a walrus’ body is the sensitive vibrissae on its face, which are as thick as wire. The color of walruses is brown; in older individuals, pinkish spots are often visible - scars and scratches from abraded skin; walruses are slightly darker than their parents. Sexual dimorphism (the difference between males and females) comes down only to differences in size.

Walrus whiskers reach 10-12 cm in length, and their thickness is 1.5-2 mm!

The range of walruses is circumpolar, that is, it surrounds the North Pole in a ring. Unlike seals, walruses avoid vast expanses of water and endless pack (multi-year) ice, so they are found only on the coasts of Europe, Asia, North America and the Arctic islands. Due to the decline in numbers, the walrus habitat has now been broken into several unconnected areas. The largest number of these animals live on the Chukotka Peninsula, the shores of the Bering Strait and the Labrador Peninsula; there are few walruses in the western and central parts of the Eurasian coast. Seasonal migrations of walruses are very short: in winter they move south, but only a few hundred kilometers, which is not much for such animals.

Walruses move on their paws, and not on their bellies like real seals.

Walruses lead a herd lifestyle. They live in groups of 10-20 individuals, but can form rookeries of up to 100-3000 individuals (most often such large groups are created by females). Unlike other pinnipeds, walruses in rookeries try to lie as close to each other as possible, and they do this not due to lack of space, but quite consciously. Even if there is free space, a herd of walruses does not disperse along the coastline, but stays crowded together, and they dive into the water just as unitedly. In relation to their relatives, walruses are more peaceful than other seals. Even during the mating season, they do not have fatal fights; adults do not crush young animals, as happens in other species. There is no hierarchy in the herd; all members of the herd are more or less equal in their rights.

A migrating herd of Pacific walruses.

The walrus's voice is a roar, but in general these animals are more silent than the ever-noisy sea lions and fur seals, in whose rookeries one can hear hubbub. On the ground or on an ice floe, walruses rest lying down and do not move far from the water's edge, which is probably due to the massiveness of their bodies, which makes it difficult to move on land. For the same reason, walruses cannot climb even low, steep rocks; when climbing out onto a flat ice floe, the walrus often leans on its tusks. The tusks also serve the walrus in emergency situations, when the hole is covered with ice, then the walrus breaks through the ice crust to get to the surface. Walruses all go in search of food at the same time and generally move in the water as a herd. They swim well and can spend the whole day in the water. Walruses can sleep not only on land, but also in water - their bodies, containing 150-250 kg of fat, are unsinkable.

Walruses use holes in the ice to breathe, and through them they get to the surface.

These animals feed on mollusks, invertebrates and crustaceans, and occasionally they can catch fish. Even the remains of birds and seals were found in the stomachs of walruses, but this was obviously random carrion that hungry animals could pick up. In search of food, walruses dive to depths of up to 30-40 m and can remain underwater for a long time. In the search for food, a highly developed sense of smell, touch with whiskers and, of course, tusks play a huge role. With its tusks, the walrus furrows the bottom of the sea, digging out mollusks and other living creatures hidden in the thickness of the sand. In captivity, walruses almost always lose their tusks, since being kept in pools with a cement bottom leads to irreversible damage to the teeth. On simple food, walruses quickly fatten up and well-fed specimens have a 5-10-centimeter layer of fat, which not only increases buoyancy, but also protects against hypothermia.

A walrus is looking for food at the bottom of the sea. Walruses sometimes damage and lose their tusks; this happens to almost all animals in captivity.

The breeding season for walruses begins in April-May. Males fight among themselves and inflict wounds on each other with their fangs, but there are no deaths. This is due both to the generally low aggressiveness of males and to the thick layer of fat and skin (its thickness reaches 3-4 cm) that protects the internal organs. Walruses do not create harems and females move freely within the rookery. Pregnancy lasts 330-370 days and birth occurs during the next mating season. The female always gives birth to one calf, about 1 m long and weighing 60 kg. From the first days of life, the cub knows how to swim and, in case of danger, leaves the ice floe with its mother. If for some reason the cub cannot do this, the mother remains next to him, even if she is in mortal danger. The mother feeds the cub with milk for a record long time - 2 years! Only when the walrus has long tusks does it begin to feed itself. For this reason, most females give birth only once every 3-4 years, only 5% give birth every other year and another 5% annually (those whose cubs died). Walruses grow slowly and reach sexual maturity only at 6 years of age. Walruses live in nature and in captivity for up to 40 years.

Female walrus with calf.

In their natural environment, walruses have almost no enemies; only the polar bear encroaches on adult animals due to their large size. But even this predator has a hard time dealing with them. The bear tries to track down a herd of walruses and sneak up unnoticed to a breathing hole or the edge of an ice floe. At the moment when the walrus climbs onto the shore, the bear can kill it with a deft blow of its paw. If a bear tries to attack a walrus in the water or even in a rookery, a favorable outcome of the fight is not guaranteed for the predator. The walrus heroically resists to the last, striking with its tusks, so the polar bear can not only be left without lunch, but also receive serious injuries. Only walrus cubs are defenseless against bears, and they often die in the first years of life.

A walrus acts out a skit with its trainer.

However, the large size of walruses does not scare them away, but attracts another enemy - humans. Residents of the northern coasts have long hunted walruses for fat and meat, because one animal carcass could feed an entire family for several months. Walrus skin was used for upholstery of boats, tusks were used for crafts and knife handles. Due to the small number of northern peoples, their fishing did not cause damage to walruses until these animals began to be hunted on an industrial scale. Since walruses are very infertile, mass hunting has undermined their numbers and is now permitted only under special licenses for indigenous residents of the North. Walruses are very smart and friendly animals. In captivity, they are perfectly tamed, learn many commands, willingly perform even such complex tricks as playing the pipe, but they are found mainly in aquariums of northern countries, since in the south it is difficult for them to maintain low water temperatures.

The walrus is a pinniped, a mammal found mostly in the far north. Distributed along the coasts of the Bering and Chukchi seas, east to the coasts of Alaska and Canada.

It cannot be confused with other pinnipeds, since the walrus has a distinctive feature - large tusks.

Both females and males have tusks, essentially elongated fangs. They are located on the upper jaw vertically downwards. Their length reaches 1 meter, weight can exceed 5 kg.

Males use tusks as weapons in fights with rivals during the mating period. Walruses also use their tusks as additional strength when trying to climb out of the water onto an ice floe, or climb up a rock.

There are three subspecies: Pacific, Atlantic and Laptev walruses.

These animals have very thick, textured skin due to the formation of fatty folds. The body is not completely covered with fur and hairs, and in older individuals the body is almost smooth.

Skin color ranges from light to dark brown, sometimes with reddish tint. When swimming, the skin of walruses lightens and may even turn white because the water is very cold and the blood vessels constrict.

The walrus's body shape is cone-shaped, with a large massive chest and neck, but at the same time a small and wide head, with a slightly flattened nose and wide-set small eyes. The look of the walrus is sad, but beautiful.

The body tapers towards the caudal part and ends with a small rudimentary tail.

The limbs of the walrus are flippers, which are adapted not only to water, but also to land. Walruses successfully move on land - they walk on flippers, and do not crawl like other pinnipeds.

Walruses are very large animals. The average body weight is about a ton, but this is not the limit. Individuals weighing about 1500 – 1800 kg are often found.

Walruses feed on fish, shellfish and other invertebrates. There are cases when walruses hunt seals or birds sitting on the water.

In search of food, they dive underwater, where they can stay for up to 10 minutes, or try to find food on the surface. The daily requirement for one walrus reaches 100 kg of food.

Walruses are friendly to each other and prefer to stay in groups, but females stay apart. A walrus calf stays with its mother until it is three years old. They feed on mother's milk for up to a year, but already at the age of six months they begin to try other foods.

Upon reaching three years of age, it begins to independently obtain food.

Walrus milk is very nutritious, the fat content is almost 50%, the protein is 10 - 13%, the milk is sweet, since its sugar content is about 0.2%.

Females give birth to offspring approximately once every three to four years, one cub is born.

Walruses like to set up rookeries on ice floes or shores. A funny picture when several dozen huge animals were spread out along the shore. But sometimes, in the event of any danger, walruses fussily begin to dive into the water, not noticing the small cubs underneath them, which often leads to the death of the walruses.

At school, during biology lessons, we were told that walruses are the only species in the Walrus family (lat. Odobenidae), and that among marine mammals in body size they are second only to whales and elephant seals. And another thing is that walruses, especially males, have very large upper canines.

What else interesting can we say about them? So it’s probably a little difficult to answer this question right away. If so, then I propose to get to know the life of these sea animals a little closer.

Getting to know them will take place in a slightly unusual form - “Did you know that...”. So let's get started.

Did you know that...

... the walrus species includes two main subspecies, different in distribution area. These are the Pacific walrus (lat. Odobenus rosmarus divirgens) and the Atlantic walrus (lat. Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus). There is also a third subspecies - the Laptev walrus (lat. Odobenus rosmarus laptevi), but its independence is still in question.

... the name of these animals came to us from the Greek language and means “walking with teeth.” Indeed, very often one can observe a picture when a huge walrus, in order to climb or stay on an ice floe, uses huge tusks as a counterweight to its body.

...walruses spend almost 2/3 of their lives in water. But despite this, they are not very fond of depth. The rest of the time they spend on ice floes or snow-covered coasts, basking in the rays of the sun.

... walruses occupy third place in the ranking of the largest marine mammals, second only to whales and elephant seals.

Adult males can reach 3-3.6 meters in length and weigh up to 1,700 kilograms. Females, of course, are more miniature, if such a comparison can be applied to an animal 2.5-3 meters long and weighing 1300 kilograms.

Males are most often famous for their powerful dimensions. Sometimes their “waist” circumference can reach or exceed their body length.

...walruses can change their color from white to brown. This phenomenon is associated with sudden temperature changes. In cold water, many of the skin's blood vessels constrict, reducing blood flow to the skin and turning it a dull gray or off-white color. During sunbathing, the blood vessels, on the contrary, dilate and the skin acquires a pinkish tint.

Young animals are dark brown in color.

Pink coloring

... the length of male tusks can reach 1 meter! In females they are slightly shorter - only 60-80 centimeters. They grow for about 15 years and wear off over time.

Walrus tusks serve several functions. Firstly, it is a kind of indicator of social status in the herd. The larger the tusks, the greater the authority. Secondly, it is an excellent self-defense weapon. And, thirdly, a convenient tool for plowing the seabed in search of shellfish. And yet, tusks are an excellent tool for educating the younger generation.

But there is one problem with them - sleeping with such teeth is not very comfortable. Therefore, while sleeping, the walrus has to lie either on its back or put its head on its side; in extreme cases, you can lean your elbows on a nearby neighbor. He is unlikely to resist.

... walruses have from 400 to 700 long and thick “whiskers” on their muzzle - vibrissae, which act as organs of touch. With their help, the walrus “combs” the seabed in search of its main food - shellfish, and rolls the dug up shellfish into a ball, which is then put into the mouth.

... the walrus brain weighs very little compared to the total body weight - only about 1 kilogram.

... the eyes are small and protrude from the sockets. But, despite their size, they are quite mobile, so the animal does not have a special need to often turn its head in different directions. They are not distinguished by good eyesight; in principle, in the semi-dark underwater world it is of no use. Other senses are important here. For example, the sense of smell, which is very developed in walruses.

... the ears, or more precisely, the auditory openings of walruses are very small - only 1-2 millimeters in diameter. Although such sizes do not in the least prevent walruses from hearing well both in water and on land. For example, a female can hear the call of her cub from a distance of about 2 kilometers.

During diving, these holes are tightly closed with the help of auditory muscles.

...walruses have very mobile limbs - fins and flippers. The front flippers have 5 fingers of equal length with small claws. The skin on the limbs is very thick and rough, which ensures comfortable movement on ice and land. The hind flippers also have 5 bony fingers.

... the thickness of their skin is 2.5-4 centimeters, and the thickness of the subcutaneous fat varies from 4 to 12 centimeters. And not by chance. This fatty layer has low thermal conductivity and serves as good protection for internal organs during disputes between males.

... these giants love to communicate. Both underwater and on land. To do this, they use 3 types of vocal communication, which is most often expressed in the form of mooing, grumbling, gurgling, coughing and roaring.

... walruses at short distances in water can accelerate to 21 km/h. The average swimming speed is 4-4.5 km/hour.

... these giants can stay underwater for up to 10 minutes, then they are forced to surface for another portion of fresh air. During a dive, the heart rate can decrease to 4-15 beats per minute to save oxygen consumption, and this despite the fact that the natural heart rate of walruses is 150 beats per minute!

...walruses can sleep in water without drowning. A pair of elastic throat sacs filled with air allows them to remain on the surface of the water while sleeping.

... the diet of walruses consists of 80-90% mollusks (bivalves and elasmobranchs), the remaining 10-20% is fish, annelids, starfish, crayfish and... carrion! Walruses eat a lot. On average, they consume about 4-6% of their body weight in food per day.

... walruses remove mollusks from the shell using their front paws.

... they live in large herds, in which they are divided into smaller separate herds of females and males. But there may also be mixed variants, which consist of smaller family groups.

... the herd has its own hierarchical ladder. It is headed by the largest, most aggressive and “fanged” individual. Most often these are males. Both smaller males and females can get it from them.

Demonstrations of strength and showdowns in the herd occur quite often. And, as often happens in the animal world, this process is accompanied by fights, which can result in serious injuries.

... males become sexually mature at 8-10 years, but begin to take part in reproduction only after 6-7 years. What caused such a long period of time? It turns out that in order to mate with a female, you need to gain strength, weight and “earn” a certain position in the herd, and besides, you will have to compete with other opponents for the female.

...pregnancy in females lasts more than a year - 15-16 months. Only one cub is born, covered with thick silver-gray fur. As he grows up, he changes his “clothing” to a coat with short and sparse brown fur.