Walrus

---

Introduction:

The walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) is a remarkable marine mammal known for its distinctive tusks, long whiskers, and massive size. Found primarily in the cold Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere, these creatures are well adapted to survive in some of the harshest environments on Earth. Walruses are easily identifiable by their elongated canine teeth, or tusks, which can grow up to three feet in length and serve multiple purposes, from defense to helping them haul their heavy bodies onto ice floes.

Walruses are social animals, often found in large herds that can include hundreds of individuals. They are highly dependent on sea ice for resting, reproduction, and accessing food. As semi-aquatic mammals, walruses spend much of their time diving to the seabed to feed on benthic organisms like clams, mollusks, and other small invertebrates. Their highly sensitive whiskers, or vibrissae, help them detect prey in the murky depths of the ocean.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the walrus is its role in Arctic ecosystems and indigenous cultures. Walruses have been hunted by native peoples for centuries for their meat, tusks, and blubber, which were vital for survival in the freezing Arctic climate. While modern conservation efforts have helped to protect walrus populations, they still face significant threats from climate change, particularly the loss of sea ice, which is critical to their survival.

In conclusion, the walrus is not only a symbol of the Arctic wilderness but also an integral part of the marine environment. Its unique adaptations and significant role in cultural history make the walrus a fascinating subject for study, highlighting the need for continued efforts to protect these majestic creatures and their habitat.

Physical Characteristics:

The walrus is a large, distinctive marine mammal recognized for its unique physical features that make it easily identifiable. Adult walruses can weigh between 800 and 1,700 kilograms, with males being generally larger than females. One of their most notable characteristics is their tusks, which are elongated canine teeth that can grow up to one meter (three feet) in length. These tusks serve various purposes, including defending against predators, establishing dominance within groups, and helping the walrus pull itself onto ice.

Walruses also have thick, wrinkled skin that can be up to 10 centimeters (four inches) thick, especially around the neck and shoulders. This thick skin, along with a layer of blubber, helps insulate the animal from the freezing temperatures of its Arctic habitat. The skin color of walrus’s changes depending on their activity level. When resting, their skin appears pale pink due to restricted blood flow, but when active, it turns reddish-brown as blood circulates more freely.

Another distinctive feature is their long, stiff whiskers, known as vibrissae, located around the snout. These whiskers are highly sensitive and are used to detect food on the ocean floor, such as clams, mollusks, and other benthic organisms. Walruses also have broad, flat flippers that allow them to swim powerfully in the water but are flexible enough to support their weight when moving on land or ice. These physical adaptations make walruses highly suited to their cold, aquatic environment.

Habitat and Distribution:

The walrus is primarily found in the cold, icy waters of the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. These marine mammals are well adapted to life in this extreme environment, relying on both sea ice and coastal areas for survival. Their habitat spans across the northern parts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, with two distinct subspecies: the Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) and the Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens).

Atlantic walruses are commonly found along the coasts of northeastern Canada, Greenland, and parts of Norway, particularly the Svalbard archipelago. Pacific walruses inhabit the Bering, Chukchi, and Laptev Seas, with populations spread across Russia, Alaska, and northern Canada. These areas are rich in the benthic prey walruses depend on, such as clams, mollusks, and other small organisms.

Walruses are heavily dependent on sea ice, which provides them with a platform for resting, giving birth, and avoiding predators like polar bears and orcas. During the summer months, as the ice retreats, they migrate to coastal areas where they haul out on land. In winter, they follow the advancing ice floes further south, ensuring access to food and suitable habitats.

However, climate change poses a significant threat to walrus habitats. The shrinking of sea ice due to global warming is forcing walruses to spend more time on land, where they face overcrowding and limited resources. This loss of habitat underscores the importance of conservation efforts to protect these iconic Arctic animals.

Diet and Feeding Habits:

The walrus is a carnivorous marine mammal, primarily feeding on a diet of benthic organisms found on the seafloor. Its diet mainly consists of clams, mollusks, worms, sea cucumbers, and small crustaceans. Occasionally, walruses may also consume fish and even scavenge on the carcasses of seals when food is scarce. However, their preferred food source remains mollusks, especially bivalves.

Walruses use their highly sensitive whiskers, known as vibrissae, to detect prey buried in the soft sediment of the ocean floor. Once a food source is located, the walrus uses a suction method to extract it. By sealing its lips around the mollusk and creating a vacuum, the walrus can suck out the soft tissue from inside the shell with remarkable efficiency. This feeding technique allows the walrus to consume large quantities of food quickly.

An adult walrus can eat up to 3,000 to 6,000 clams in a single feeding session. Due to their large size and high energy needs, walruses spend a significant amount of time foraging. They typically dive to depths of 80-100 meters to find food, although they are capable of diving much deeper if necessary.

Their feeding habits play an essential role in the Arctic marine ecosystem, as they help control the population of benthic invertebrates. Additionally, their foraging behavior stirs up the seafloor, which can aid in nutrient cycling, benefiting other marine species in the ecosystem.

Social Behavior and Communication:

Walruses are highly social animals, often found in large herds or colonies, especially when resting or hauled out on land or ice. These herds can include hundreds to even thousands of individuals, with walruses engaging in complex social interactions. While they are known for their large gatherings, walruses maintain a structured social hierarchy, particularly among males. Dominance is established through size, age, and the length of their tusks. Males often engage in aggressive displays, such as sparring with their tusks, to assert dominance during the mating season.

Communication among walruses is equally fascinating. They use a combination of body and vocalizations language to communicate with one another. Vocalizations include a variety of sounds like barks, grunts, whistles, and bell-like calls. These sounds are especially important during mating season, as males use them to attract females and establish their presence among rivals. Female walruses also vocalize to communicate with their young, ensuring they maintain close contact, especially in the crowded herd environment.

Physical contact is another key aspect of walrus communication. They are known to huddle together for warmth and protection, especially when resting on ice floes. This physical closeness helps strengthen social bonds within the group.

The social behavior of walruses plays a critical role in their survival. By forming large herds, they can better protect themselves from predators like polar bears and orcas. Their social structure and communication skills highlight their intelligence and adaptability in the harsh Arctic environment.

Reproduction and Life Cycle:

The reproduction and life cycle of walruses are closely linked to their Arctic habitat and social behaviors. Walruses typically breed during the winter months, from January to March, while they are gathered in large groups on sea ice. Mating is highly competitive, with male walruses using their tusks and vocalizations to establish dominance and attract females.

After successful mating, female walruses have a gestation period of around 15 to 16 months, which includes delayed implantation. This allows the embryo to develop at an optimal time for the harsh Arctic environment. Calves are usually born in late spring or early summer when the ice is more stable. A newborn calf weighs about 45 to 75 kilograms (99 to 165 pounds) and is born with a thick layer of blubber to protect it from the cold.

Walrus calves rely heavily on their mothers for nourishment and protection. They are nursed for about two years, although they begin to eat solid food around six months of age. During this time, calves stay close to their mothers, learning essential survival skills. Female walruses typically give birth to a single calf every two to three years, ensuring that they can devote significant attention to each offspring, enhancing its chances of survival in the harsh Arctic conditions.

Role of Mothers in Raising Young:

In the walrus community, mothers play a crucial role in raising and nurturing their young. After giving birth, usually to a single calf, a mother walrus is solely responsible for its care and protection. She provides warmth, security, and sustenance, nursing her calf with rich milk that helps the young walrus build the blubber necessary for survival in the frigid Arctic environment.

Walrus calves are highly dependent on their mothers for the first two years of life. During this time, the mother teaches her calf essential survival skills, such as foraging for food and navigating the icy terrain. The close bond between mother and calf ensures the young walrus remains protected from predators like polar bears and orcas.

Mothers are highly protective, often staying in close contact with their offspring, and they will fiercely defend their calves if threatened. This strong maternal care is vital for the survival of young walruses in the harsh Arctic conditions.

Human-induced Threats (climate change, hunting):

Walruses face significant human-induced threats, with climate change and hunting being the most prominent. Climate change poses the greatest risk to walrus populations due to the rapid loss of sea ice, which is essential to their survival. Walruses rely on sea ice for resting, breeding, and accessing food sources. As global temperatures rise, the ice melts at an accelerated rate, forcing walruses to spend more time on land. This increases overcrowding and makes it harder for them to find food, particularly for females and calves, who depend on ice platforms to avoid predators and rest between feeding trips.

Hunting has also been a historical threat to walruses. Indigenous Arctic communities have traditionally hunted walruses for their tusks, blubber, and meat, which were essential for survival in the harsh environment. While subsistence hunting by indigenous peoples continues at a sustainable level, commercial hunting in the past led to a drastic decline in walrus populations. Although commercial hunting has been largely banned, illegal poaching for walrus ivory still occurs in some areas.

Combined, these human-induced threats put walruses at risk, with the rapidly changing climate being the most pressing concern. Conservation efforts are crucial to ensure the long-term survival of this iconic Arctic species.

Conservation Efforts and Protection Status (IUCN classification):

Walrus conservation efforts have become increasingly important due to the threats posed by climate change and human activities. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently classifies the walrus as “Vulnerable” on its Red List, recognizing the challenges this species faces, particularly from the rapid loss of sea ice in the Arctic. As global temperatures rise and ice melts, walruses are forced to spend more time on land, increasing competition for space and food while making them more vulnerable to predators and human activities.

Various international and national conservation programs have been implemented to protect walrus populations. In the United States and Russia, both Atlantic and Pacific walrus populations are legally protected from commercial hunting under laws like the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Indigenous communities, however, are allowed to continue subsistence hunting to sustain their traditional way of life.

Efforts are also underway to combat climate change, which is the most significant long-term threat to walruses. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting Arctic habitats, and monitoring walrus populations through scientific research are crucial steps in ensuring their survival. Collaboration between governments, conservation organizations, and local communities is essential to safeguarding the future of these iconic Arctic animals.

The walrus, with its gentle whiskers and majestic tusks, is a true guardian of the Arctic, embodying both strength and serenity in the icy wilderness.