Walrus

Written by Pookas Kreations

The walrus is a large flippered sea mammal that mostly lives in the far north.

Basic Information

Biological Traits

Tusks are slightly longer and thicker among males, which use them for fighting, dominance, and display; the strongest males with the largest tusks typically dominate the herd. Tusks are also used to form and maintain holes in the ice and aid the walrus in climbing out of the water onto the ice.

Males can weigh more than 4400 lbs, although they commonly weigh between 1800 and 3700 lbs and a length of 11-14 ft. Females weigh about 2/3 as much as males, averaging 1230 lbs. Adult walrus have large tusks and whiskers. Length typically ranges from 7-12 ft. Newborns average 73-187 lbs with a typical length of 3-5 ft.

Genetics and Reproduction

Walrus often reach sexual maturity at 7 years, but they don't mate until 14-15 when they are physically mature. Females reach maturity at between 4-6 years. Females enter heat in late summer and spring. Males compete for the females during the rut, usually the largest and strongest males win the right. They mate in the water.

Growth Rate & Stages

Gestation lasts 15-16 months. They practice delayed implantation, to optimize the mating and birthing seasons. Calves are born during the spring migration, between spring and summer. They are born weighing 99-165 lbs and can already swim. The mother's nurse for over a year, but the young often spend up to five years with them.

Ecology and Habitats

Any coastal or island of the far north.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Walrus are carnivores. They forage mostly on the seafloor, often from sea ice. They can dive up to 260 ft and can remain submerged for 30 minutes. They are opportunistic hunters, feeding on various marine animals, including shrimps, crabs, tube worms, soft coral, sea cucumbers, mollusks. They only have two natural predators, the orca, and the polar bear.

Additional Information

Social Structure

They are very social animals, often living in groups of 100 or more.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

They are a primary food source for natives in the area and are hunted for their meat, ivory, hide and fat.

Facial characteristics

Walrus have a round head, small eyes, and no external ears. Their muzzle is short and broad with a mustache of stiff whiskers.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Lowlight vision and tremorsense (touch and water only) by using their whiskers.

The walrus has an airbag under its throat that acts as a float bag to allow it to bob vertically in the water to sleep.

Genetic Descendants

• Walaran

Scientific Name

Odobenus rosmarus

Lifespan

30 years

Average Weight

2200 lbs (male), 1230 lbs (female)

Average Length

12 ft (male), 10 ft (female)

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

They have greyish skin that is 1-2 inches thick with deep folds around the shoulders, it is covered with short reddish hair.