Quck answer
Walruses are large marine mammals that primarily inhabit the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. They are known for their distinctive tusks, which are actually elongated canine teeth. Walruses use their tusks for a variety of purposes, including climbing onto ice, digging for food, and fighting other walruses. They are also known for their thick blubber layer, which helps them to stay warm in cold waters. Walruses are social animals and can be found in groups called “herds”. They primarily feed on clams and other mollusks, which they suck up from the ocean floor using their powerful lips. Despite their large size, walruses are preyed upon by polar bears and orcas.
Wild Animals
Walrus’s Adaption to Environment
Walruses live in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth, where they face freezing temperatures and spend the majority of their time in the water. Despite this, they manage to maintain a core body temperature of 97.9 degrees Fahrenheit (36.6 degrees Celsius). Walruses have adapted to their environment by developing a thick layer of body fat just under their skin, which provides insulation and energy when reserves dip low. This blubber layer can be up to 3.9 inches (10 cm) thick and may comprise up to a third of the animal’s body mass in winter. Additionally, the walrus’s blood vessels constrict to move blood away from the skin and towards vital organs, where the heat won’t escape. Walruses have hair, but it doesn’t play a significant role in keeping the animals warm and is gradually shed and replaced over summer months. Their skin temperature stays one to three degrees warmer than the water, and the animal’s metabolism is not affected at temperatures as low as -4 degrees to 59 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 degrees Celsius to 15 degrees Celsius) [source: Burns]. Some walruses have even been observed unaffected by water temperatures as low as -31 degrees Fahrenheit (-35 degrees Celsius) [source: Burns].
Walruses have also acquired several adaptations that enable them to go long periods without oxygen. When they dive, their heart rate slows, and blood travels to the organs that need the most oxygen. Walruses have a high level of a protein called myoglobin in their blood, which binds to oxygen, carries it throughout the walrus’s body, and stores it in the muscles. Also, pharyngeal muscles in the walrus’s throat close up when they dive to prevent water from entering the animal’s lungs.
Walruses are excellent at tolerating the cold and have adapted to their environment in various ways. To learn more about walrus behavior and how a male walrus wins over its mates with a sonorous serenade, go to the next page.
FAQ
1. What are walruses?
Walruses are large marine mammals that belong to the family Odobenidae. They are known for their impressive tusks, which can grow up to 1 meter long in males. Walruses are found in the Arctic regions of the world and are closely related to seals and sea lions.
2. How do walruses survive in cold water?
Walruses have several physical adaptations that allow them to survive in cold water. They have a thick layer of blubber that insulates their bodies and keeps them warm. They also have a low metabolism, which means that they don’t need to eat as much food to maintain their body temperature. Finally, walruses have a specialized circulatory system that allows them to redirect blood flow away from their extremities in cold water, keeping their vital organs warm.
3. What do walruses eat?
Walruses are primarily bottom-feeders, using their sensitive whiskers to detect prey on the ocean floor. They eat a variety of foods, including clams, mussels, snails, and other small invertebrates. Adult walruses can consume up to 3,000 clams in a single meal.
4. How do walruses communicate?
Walruses use a variety of vocalizations to communicate with each other, including grunts, barks, and whistles. They also use body language, such as head movements and tusk displays, to signal their intentions to other walruses.
5. How long do walruses live?
Walruses can live up to 40 years in the wild. However, their lifespan is often shorter due to hunting, disease, and other factors.
6. What is the mating behavior of walruses?
Walruses have a polygynous mating system, meaning that males mate with multiple females. During the breeding season, males will fight for dominance and the right to mate with females. Once a male establishes dominance, he will mate with several females in his harem.
7. How do walruses protect themselves from predators?
Walruses have few natural predators due to their large size and formidable tusks. However, they can be attacked by killer whales and polar bears. In order to defend themselves, walruses will form tight groups in the water and use their tusks to ward off predators.
8. What is the conservation status of walruses?
Walruses are currently classified as “data deficient” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), meaning that there is insufficient information to determine their conservation status. However, they are considered to be a vulnerable species due to climate change, hunting, and other threats.
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