walrus

Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) is a large marine mammal in the pinniped family Odobenidae, native to the Arctic Ocean and subarctic seas of the Northern Hemisphere. There are two subspecies: the Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) and the Pacific walrus (O. r. divergens).

Walruses are among the largest living pinnipeds. Adults are stocky, with males larger than females, and can reach several meters in length and weigh roughly a metric ton or more. A distinctive feature is the pair of long tusks, which are elongated canine teeth and can reach up to about a meter in length. They have a thick layer of blubber and a mustache of whiskers around the snout. Their ears are small and externally inconspicuous.

Distribution and habitat: They inhabit Arctic and sub-Arctic seas, spending much of their time on sea ice but also hauled out on beaches and shores. Pacific walrus range includes the Bering and Chukchi seas; Atlantic walrus occurs in the Barents Sea and adjacent areas.

Ecology and behavior: Walruses are highly social, gathering in large herds on ice or beaches. They feed mainly on bottom-dwelling invertebrates, especially clams, using their sensitive whiskers to locate prey and suction to ingest it. They dive for prey and can stay underwater for several minutes. Tusks are used for social display, defense, and helping to haul out of the water.

Reproduction: Mating occurs in late winter on ice. Gestation lasts about 15 months, including delayed implantation. Calves are typically born in spring and are nursed for many months.

Conservation: The walrus is listed by the IUCN as Vulnerable, with populations affected by loss of sea ice due to climate change. They face threats from hunting under regulated programs, industrial disturbance, and changes in prey availability. Indigenous communities depend on walrus for subsistence in some regions, and management plans aim to balance cultural and ecological needs.