morsa

Morsa is the name used for the walrus in several languages. The walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) is a large Arctic marine mammal adapted to life on ice and in cold seas. It is the heaviest living pinniped and is notable for its long tusks, thick blubber, and prominent vibrissae.

Physical characteristics: adults range roughly 2.5 to 3.6 meters in length and can weigh up to about 1,500 kilograms. Both sexes have tusks that can reach around one meter, used for defense, dominance, and hauling out of the water. The skin is wrinkled with thick blubber and sparse fur.

Distribution and habitat: walruses occupy the Arctic Ocean and adjacent seas of the northern hemisphere, with two subspecies: the Atlantic walrus (O. r. rosmarus) and the Pacific walrus (O. r. divergens). They gather in large herds for mating and rest on sea ice and along shores.

Diet and foraging: they feed mainly on benthic invertebrates, especially clams, snails, and worms. They use their sensitive vibrissae to locate prey and suction to extract it from shells; they can dive to the seafloor to forage.

Reproduction: walruses breed in late winter; females give birth to a single calf after a gestation around 15 months, including delayed implantation. Calves nurse for about a year or more and join haul-outs with adults during social periods.

Conservation: the IUCN Red List classifies the walrus as Vulnerable, with climate change-related loss of sea ice as the major threat. Other pressures include subsistence hunting in some regions and disturbance from shipping and coastal development.