Trivia TOP 5 FACTS ABOUT WALRUSES

[Beatriz9]

1. THERE ARE TWO MAIN SUBSPECIES OF WALRUS​

The Atlantic and Pacific – which both occupy different areas of the Arctic. The Atlantic walrus lives in the seasonally ice-covered northern waters of Canada, Greenland, Norway and Russia. The Pacific walrus has a wide range between Russia and the US (Alaska), from the Bering to the Chukchi Seas, as well as the Laptev Sea.There's thought to be around 25,000 Atlantic and around 200,000 Pacific walrus in the wild.

2. A MALE WALRUS CAN WEIGH OVER A TONNE​

Male Pacific walruses can reach 3.6 m long and weigh over 1,500kg (that’s 1.5 tonnes!). And big is beautiful – they need fat to stay alive.

3. BOTH MALE AND FEMALE WALRUSES HAVE TUSKS​

Walruses use their tusks to haul themselves out of the water and onto the sea ice. Their tusks are also used for keeping breathing holes open in the ice, fighting with other walruses, and for defence against predators.

4. MOTHER WALRUSES ARE VERY PROTECTIVE OF THEIR YOUNG​

A female walrus can get very protective of her calf. She will pick it up with her flippers and hold it to her chest if it’s threatened before diving into the water to escape predators. Walruses have young fairly infrequently, so it is vital for them to protect their offspring.

5. THEY CAN LIVE TO AROUND 40 YEARS OLD​

And it shows. Most of them carry a vast map scars on their skin – wounds inflicted in disputes with fellow walrus during the breeding season.

(s)orgUK