What is the walrus known for?

What is the walrus known for?

Walruses are probably best known for their oversized tusks. In fact, the species’ scientific name Odobenus rosmarus is Latin for “tooth walking sea horse.” There are two subspecies of these marine mammals: the Pacific walrus and the Atlantic walrus.

Did you know facts about walruses?

Top 10 facts about walruses

• There are two main subspecies of walrus.
• They weigh a tonne.
• Both male and female walruses have large tusks.
• Mother walruses are very protective of their young.
• They can live to around 40 years old.
• Walruses are rarely found in deep water.

Can a walrus breathe underwater?

Walruses generally breathe at the surface for about one minute after every five to eight minutes of subsurface activity. They can stay submerged for as long as 10 minutes. These adaptations enable a walrus to conserve oxygen while it is below water. The heart rate slows during a dive.

Is a walrus warm blooded?

Most of the rest of the animal kingdom—except birds and mammals—are cold-blooded. In most instances, the size and shape of an organism dictate whether it will be warm-blooded or cold-blooded. Think about some large animals—elephants, whales, and walruses. For that reason, nearly all large animals are warm-blooded.

What are walrus whiskers for?

As their favorite meals, particularly shellfish, are found near the dark ocean floor, walruses use their extremely sensitive whiskers, called mustacial vibrissae, as detection devices.

What are the physical characteristics of a walrus?

Coloration Generally, walruses are cinnamon-brown overall. Walruses appear quite pale in the water; after a sustained period in very cold water, they may appear almost white. They are pink in warm weather when tiny blood vessels in the skin dilate and circulation increases. Calves at birth are ash gray to brown.

How many walruses are there in the wild?

Here are 10 things everyone should know about these majestic ocean wonders. 1. There are two main subspecies of walrus The Atlantic and Pacific – which both occupy different areas of the Arctic. There’s thought to be around 25,000 Atlantic and around 200,000 Pacific walrus in the wild. 2. They weigh a tonne

What kind of Tusk does a walrus have?

With wrinkled brown and pink hides, walruses are distinguished by their long white tusks, grizzly whiskers, flat flipper, and bodies full of blubber. Walruses use their iconic long tusks for a variety of reasons, each of which makes their lives in the Arctic a bit easier.

Why are walruses important to the Arctic ecosystem?

Walruses are relatively long-lived, social animals, and they are considered to be a “keystone species” in the Arctic marine regions. The walrus has played a prominent role in the cultures of many indigenous Arctic peoples, who have hunted the walrus for its meat, fat, skin, tusks, and bone.