Only 1 walrus species exist. This species is categorized under the family Odobenidae. The scientific name of these sea mammals is Odobenus rosmarus.
This species is further divided into three subspecies, namely: the Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens), Laptev Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus laptevi), and the Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus).
As their names suggest, the Pacific walrus is found in the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic walrus is found in the Atlantic Ocean, and the Laptev walrus is found in the Laptev Sea.
Walruses prefer a diet of mollusks, primarily bivalves like clams. These enormous sea mammals may also dine on other marine bottom-dwelling invertebrates such as sea crustaceans, sea cucumbers, worms, gastropods, and cephalopods. They also feed on fish, seabirds, and seals.
- The most notable feature of walruses is their pair of tusks.
- In the real sense, these are their canine teeth, which can grow to about 1.0 m in males, and 0.6 m in females.
- These tusks play an instrumental role during navigation, and they also offer protective armor when faced with predators.
- Compared to female walruses, males are larger. Walruses can grow to a weight of about 2 tons.
- Female walruses weigh over 850 kg. Walruses have round heads, and their muzzles are lined with thick vibrissae.
- These Arctic giants do not have external ears. They have thick skin, which is underlined by very thick blubber, whose thickness can be 15 cm.
- Walruses are excellent swimmers and divers. They can dive to depths of about 90 m to forage.
- These organisms are very social among each other. They can form herds of about 2,000 members.
Walruses inhabit the areas around the Arctic Ocean. They can be found spending time inside the marine waters, on the icecaps, or the coastal sandy beaches.
