Walrus (Latin Odobenus rosmarus) – a marine mammal, the only modern species of the family walrus traditionally assigned to a group of pinnipeds. Adult walrus is easily recognizable by its prominent tusks. Adult males can weigh more than 1700 kg. Walrus – one of the leading representatives of pinnipeds in body size among pinnipeds second only to sea elephants.
The upper canines are extremely developed, elongated and directed downward; very wide muzzle seated many thick, stiff, flattened bristles, whiskers (vibrissae) of walrus on the upper lip 14 rows. No external ears, small eyes.
Very thick skin covered with short surrounding yellow-brown hair, but with age, they become less and old walrus skin almost completely naked. Limbs are more adapted for movement on land than true seals, and walruses can walk and not crawl; calloused soles. Rudimentary tail.
The breeding season lasts from walrus two months from mid-April to mid-June. Mating usually takes place on the sea ice during the migration of the herd.
Walrus is considered the most caring mother of mammals. Lying on the ice, she never for a moment keeps an eye with her cub, and if a walrus is too close, she immediately attacks him. Many hunters had seen his mother, rescuing baby, leaps into the water, grabbing the baby flippers, and then supporting it, floating on his back. And the hunters, and the Eskimos suggest that females always stands up for orphaned cubs, if they are at risk. If the mother cub dies, it is usually “adopt”.
Life expectancy is 30 walruses – age. Contemporary Pacific walrus population is about 200 thousand individuals.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Type: Chordates
Class: Mammals
Order: Predatory
Family: Walrus
Gender: Walruses
View: Walrus
