Walruses live in the Arctic seas and on land.
They are not seals but are close relatives.
APPEARANCE
The adult walrus is huge and can weigh up to
1400 kg.(from 2000 to 3000 pounds).
Their brownish skin is very thick and wrinkled. They
have long sharp tusks and whiskers.
ADAPTATION
They cannot move well on land but they are very good swimmers.
The walrus can dive to the ocean floor.
The layers of blubber and thick skin
protect the walrus from the cold wind as they lie out on the ice.
The bottoms of the flippers are bumpy so the walrus can
grip the ice.
Its tusks may help the walrus to climb out of the water
and onto the ice.
THE YOUNG
Every other year the cow ( female ) gives birth
to a calf. Babies are born on ice floes. Newborns have a thin
layer of blubber, so they are covered with a coat of short hairs.
The mothers and babies sleep and rest on the floating ice. If there is
danger the mother picks up her calf with her flippers, holds it
to her chest and dives into the water.
The calf drink its mother's milk and grows very quickly.
Soon the calf is able to dive. The young walrus
stays with its mother for two to three years.
FOOD
The walrus feeds on clams, krill, crabs, worms and
snails. They also eat octopus and fish. Whiskers help the walrus
feel for food in the shallow waters. A walrus may also attack a seal
with its tusks.
PROTECTION
On land the walruses lie close together in herds.
Large herds may have over a thousand animals.
They are very loud noisy animals and make a bellowing sound.
When a walrus is attacked , the others come to help it.
ENEMIES
Their only enemies are the killer whale ( orca )
and polar bear. These animals have teeth that are strong enough to
chew through the tough skin of the walrus.
OTHER FACTS
When a walrus sunbathes its skin turns red
The heat causes blood to rush to the skin.
Years ago hunting endangered the walrus.
Numbers are increasing in the North Pacific Ocean.
They are still threatened in the North Atlantic.
The male walrus is called a "bull", the female is a "cow"
and the baby is a "calf".
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CANADIAN ANIMALS ***
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