In honor of World Walrus Day, let’s learn a few things about these amazing animals!

Walruses are a marine mammal related to seals and sea lions. They spend their time swimming and foraging through Arctic waters. Walruses are also very social [1], and can be seen gathering together in enormous groups to rest on floating sheets of ice. Each individual can weigh on average 1000kg, which is about two thousand pounds [1]!

Walruses are well known for their distinctive features. On their face is a pair of curving tusks (actually oversized canine teeth), which they use to break through and climb up onto the ice [1]. Walruses also use their tusks to defend themselves from threats, such as polar bears, orcas, or other walruses [1] [2]. Their faces are also covered in long bristly whiskers, which help the walrus find food [1]. When they dive underwater to search the ocean floor for clams and mussels, walruses rely on their whiskers to feel around [1]. Thank you to Alan for sharing this wonderful walrus artwork with us!

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Artwork contributed by Alan.

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Other Resources:

Top 10 facts about walruses | WWF

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If you have any artwork of animals that you would like to share, you can submit them using these guidelines.

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References:

[1] Animal Diversity Web. (2013) Odobenus rosmarus. Odobenus rosmarus.

[2] WWF. (n.d.) Walrus. Walrus.

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[Edited by Siobhan Calhoun and Ruth Demree]