The scientific name of the walrus is Odobenus rosmarus, and they commonly live in large groups (sometimes exceeding 100 individuals) along the Arctic coast. Walruses spend much of their day sleeping, and their thick layer of blubber, measuring between 5 to 8 cm, helps them maintain body warmth in the harsh Arctic conditions.
These cold-resistant creatures primarily feed on mollusks that burrow in the seabed. Walruses use their long tusks, which can reach about 90 cm, to scrape their prey off the ocean floor. Their tusks serve as weapons in fights and as hooks to aid in climbing on ice and snow. For males, longer tusks are more attractive to females.
In addition to their two massive tusks, walruses also have between 18 to 24 smaller teeth (sometimes up to 40).
Despite their imposing size, measuring around 3 meters in length and weighing about 1.5 tons, walruses typically flee when threatened. However, there have been instances where they have attacked Inuit kayaks, especially when females are protecting their young. Walruses exhibit strong social bonds, often banding together to assist a member of their group in danger.
Adult females give birth annually, with the gestation period ranging from 15 to 16 months (including a 4-5 month period where embryo development is paused while the mother hibernates). One or two calves are born between April and June.
Females reach maturity at around 4-5 years of age, while males mature at about 7 years. Calves are born with thin brown fur, which is lost as they grow older, leaving them with numerous stiff whiskers around their snouts.
