Walrus

Walrus, large, marine mammal found in the Arctic regions at the edge of the polar ice along the northeastern coasts of Canada and Siberia, Kamchatka, the northwestern coast of Alaska, Greenland, northern Norway, and Ellesmere Island. Two populations of the walrus exist: the Atlantic walrus and the Pacific walrus.

Like eared seals, walruses can turn their hind limbs forward and thus use all four limbs in moving when ashore. Walruses range from 2.7 to 3.56 m (8.9 to 11.7 ft) in length and weigh 800 to 1700 kg (1800 to 3700 lb); males are larger than females. Both the male and female have massive bodies with thick, wrinkled, hairy skin that becomes nearly hairless with age. Both have relatively small heads with no external ears; a fold of skin marks the location of the ear. They have broad, bristled muzzles; and enormously elongated upper canine teeth forming heavy tusks. The tusks, about 1 m (about 3 ft) long in some males, are used as weapons in fighting and as hooks in climbing on the ice. Although it was once thought that the tusks were also used to rake the ocean bottom for mollusks and shellfish, which constitute the principal food of the walrus, it is now believed that the sensitive whiskers and fleshy snout play a primary role in detecting and removing prey from the ocean floor.

Walruses are highly social animals, congregating in herds—sometimes numbering several thousand animals—on or near the shore or among the ice floes. The bellowing of a herd can be heard for great distances. Walruses are gentle unless attacked; the whole herd will come to the defense of a member in danger. Polar bears are the chief natural predator of the walrus, and humans hunt the animal for its valuable ivory tusks and for its flesh and blubber. Excessive hunting has reduced the world population sharply.

Scientific classification: The walrus makes up the family Odobenidae of the order Pinnipedia. It is classified as Odobenus rosmarus.

Walrus Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2001. © 1993-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.