Walruses are big, bulky semi-aquatic mammals that live in the cold Arctic seas of the Northern Hemisphere. They have heavy frames, long white tusks and beady red eyes. They have thick skins and sheath a thick layer of blubber that keeps them warm in the icy Arctic weather. They are not the most attractive of the Arctic animals.
Walrus spends one-third of its time on land or ice, while preparing for the next excursion out to the sea. These creatures are found in groups while on land.
Walrus’s bulky form comes into its own in the ocean. It can glide through water at speeds up to 35km per hour and can plunge to depths of more than 250m.
To attract females, male walrus sings complex, distinct songs formed of clicks raps and bell-like tones. The best singer wins the female.
Once about every three years walruses bear young. When a calf is born, it weighs about 60 to 65 kg. Walruses can feed for 48 hours at a time.
Threat to walruses:
Over the centuries walrus are the easy targets for hunters. They are killed for their blubber, tusks, hide and meat.
These creatures are also under the threat from climate change. Warming climate could put pressure on them. However, the walrus feeding on land will not be affected as they have the ability to haul out onto land as well as on ice.
Walrus can live to a ripe old age of 40 and when they die they don’t float, they sink straight down to the bottom of the sea.
Source: BBC News
