The walrus is a marine mammal of the family Walrus. This animal has a very distinctive appearance, making it easy to recognize: it has its characteristic long tusks. They live primarily in northern seas and oceans. They typically live in herds, with a fairly strict hierarchy within the herd.
General information about walruses
Biologists distinguish three subspecies of walruses:
- Atlantic;
- Pacific;
- Laptevsky.
The first and third types are listed in the Red Book. The Atlantic subspecies inhabits a region where human activity is particularly noticeable. The Pacific subspecies is more common., so today the northern peoples living near the ocean are allocated a quota for its extraction.
Estimating the exact number of walruses is difficult. Biologists estimate that the Pacific subspecies may number up to 200,000, the Laptev subspecies around 3,000, and the Atlantic subspecies between 8,000 and 15,000.
Some people wonder: is a walrus a fish or an animal? Since it belongs to the class of mammals, he is definitely an animal, a large marine mammal. In terms of size, it is second only to whales and elephant seals.
Recently, environmentalists have been increasingly sounding the alarm: because of global warming is reducing the area of ice, where this species mates. This could seriously impact its population.
The appearance of a walrus
Before discussing the animal's appearance, it's worth noting that much of its appearance depends on the subspecies. This is a large animal. The body weight of adult males can range from 800 kilograms to two tons.Pacific rhinoceros are larger. Females weigh a third less. Length also depends on the animal's gender. Males can reach up to 4.5 meters, and females up to 3.7 meters.
Walruses' powerful bodies are covered in extremely thick skin. Around the neck, it can be up to 10 centimeters thick. The subcutaneous fat layer is also quite thick.When the animal is young, the skin is brown, but it becomes paler with age.
The skin is covered with yellow-brown hairs, but with old age the animals usually go bald.
Walruses have a broad head due to the base of their tusks. Their muzzle is covered with numerous whiskers. Their eyes are small, and they have no external ears at all. There is practically no tailThese animals live for about 40 years, with adulthood occurring between the ages of 6 and 10.
The most recognizable part of a walrus's anatomy is its tusks. They can grow up to 1 meter.It has been observed that the larger the tusks, the higher the male's position in the hierarchy.
And another interesting fact: Walruses have a very long penis bone—50 centimeters.
Distribution in nature
Walrus populations can be found in the northern Pacific and Atlantic oceans and in the Arctic seas. They live on drifting ice during the winter and migrate to land in the summer.
Representatives of the Pacific subspecies spend the summer in different places:
On the shores of the Berengov Sea;- On the northern coast of Eastern Siberia;
- Near Wrangel Island;
- In northern Alaska.
On the shores of the Berengov Sea;During the off-season they reside in the area between Alaska and Chukotka, and in winter they move to warmer climes.
The Atlantic subspecies can be found in a large region between eastern Canada and the western Russian Arctic. There are several distinct areas where walruses live.This animal used to be very common in the wild, but due to hunting, their numbers are now very small.
The Laptev subspecies lives in the Laptev Sea region.
How does a walrus behave?
Animals of this species prefer to live in herds. Their communities are highly cooperative, and they try to protect each other in times of danger. All the adults look after the little walruses, provide support. The herd is guarded by sentries who warn their relatives of danger with roars or other signals.
The animals feed primarily on mollusks, but sometimes eat fish and carrion. Their famous tusks help them gather mollusks. Besides foraging, their tusks are used for defense, movement on ice, and combat with other males.
They have an excellent sense of smell, able to detect humans from a great distance. Their hearing is also well-developed. A female can hear her cub's roar from two kilometers away. The walruses' composure is their distinctive feature.They look around without turning their heads.
These sea animals are excellent swimmers, and it will be difficult for a person in a boat to resist them. The animal itself will not attack him., but can sink a boat as a defense. It can dive to depths of up to 180 meters.
The main dangers for him in the wild are polar bears and killer whales.
Walrus hunting
Walrus hunting is a traditional trade for northern peoples: the Chukchi, Eskimos, and so on. Hunters use all parts of the animal in their farming.: skin, fat, meat, tusks and bones, entrails.
Today, walrus hunting is strictly regulated in the countries where these animals live. Northern peoples are allocated a special quota for harvesting the animal, as its meat is an essential part of their diet.
Commercial Walrus hunting is banned worldwide.Canada, the United States, Russia, and Denmark are taking all measures to preserve walrus populations in the wild.
