Channel: What Lurks Below

Category: Education

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Description: The Walrus Explained! This large marine mammal related to seals lives in the Arctic waters. Learn more about surprising facts about the walrus right here. SUBSCRIBE for the latest videos: goo.gl/7xzjzR #12. SUBSPECIES OF WALRUSES The Walrus look so distinct and attractive that people are interested in watching them. However, due to their unavailability in the wild all around us, it can be difficult to tell them apart. The Walrus are not one species everywhere. The mammals come in two subspecies; Pacific Walruses and Atlantic Walruses. The walruses found in the Atlantic demographic are found around Canada to northern Europe. They are in the cold oceans and significant seas and those contemporary areas. #11. FOXE BASIN HERD Canadian Walruses, of the Atlantic Walrus subspecies, are a mammoth herd. The Foxe herd is the largest globally and can have 5,000 individual Walruses. These individual Walruses often lounge in groups on the pack ice in the area. They are very comfortable on the various polynyas in the area. Polynyas are the open water surrounded by pack ice around frigid climates. #10. WALRUS ARE SOCIAL ANIMALS Walruses are not very frightening animals. They keep to themselves and are not dangerous until you put them in danger. They are also very interested in forming societies around themselves. They have a civilized and planned society when they are in a herd. Walruses congregate in large numbers and rarely find themselves in small groups. The principle that there is power in numbers is a social value they uphold in Walrus kingdom. #9. WALRUSES LIVE IN SHALLOW WATERS, BUT THEY SEARCH FOR FOOD IN DEEPER WATERS A Walrus can stay up to 30 minutes in deep waters. They can dive underwater as deep as some 90 meters and stay there if they have to. They are the most graceful in the waters when it comes to swimming. They swim at an average of 7km/h, which is 4.35 mph, and can be as fast as 35km/h or 21.74 mph. #8. WALRUSES CAN WITHSTAND COLD TEMPERATURES It does not sound strange if Polar citizens can withstand the cold. I mean, that is how they are staying in those areas, to begin with. Yet, the Walrus withstands some of the harshest cold conditions ever. They tend to accommodate freezing temperatures as low as -34 degrees Celsius or -31 degrees Fahrenheit. Walruses have layers of blubber that are stored under their skin to help insulate them from the cold. #7. WALRUS POPULATION With how rare it is to see a Walrus in life, it seems like an extinct population. It is, however, not the case when you travel to the various habitats and watch these 40-centimeter creatures in their packs and herd. Walruses have an estimated population of over 250,000 individuals. #6. WALRUS ARE THE KINGS OF THE ARCTIC When wildlife enthusiasts go on about Walruses, they are one of the most outstanding animals in the Arctic. The Walrus is a giant in the Arctic and the most significant for all research relating to size and strength. That is why they are cherished by everyone, including The Beetles when they sang, "I am the Walrus." Walruses are giant and weigh the same as a small cars. #5. FEMALE AND MALE WALRUS HAVE LARGE TUSK Aside from the mustache,  the ultimate distinctive thing on the Walrus, , is their large tusk. It does not come by coincidence to them. They need it to survive out in the cold. Walrus tusks help them get out of the water for general use, especially when it is covered with ice. They use their tusk to cut through ice with ease and move when needed. #4. WALRUSES LIVE UP TO 40 YEARS IN THE WILD As the elephants of the Arctic, it can be assumed that they grow very fast. The tag of them being elephants is not a joke. Much like elephants, the males are larger than the females. During mating season, they also act out with the males taking territories and displaying dominance. #3. WALRUSES TAKE CARE OF YOUNGER ONES Walrus babies are born after a 15-month gestation period. The long gestation period is attributed to a process of delayed implantation. This delayed implantation occurs because a fertilized egg takes three to five months to plant into the uterine wall. The delay ensures that the mother has enough nutrients and energy to start the pregnancy process and that the calf can be born at an appropriate environmental condition. A walrus gives birth to one calf, although there have been twins. #2. WALRUSES ARE CARNIVORES We spoke of sea cucumbers as one of the delicacies the Walrus enjoy. While that is true, they are also carnivores like humans. Walruses feed on the ocean bottoms. Their whiskers, which we already mentioned, guide their food, and they whisk it quickly into their mouths when they find it. #1. WALRUSES ARE RELATED TO SEALS AND SEA LIONS Walruses are the relatives of sea lions and seals. They are classified as pinnipeds, putting them in the same family group as other sea mammals. They all have similar fore and hind limbs, which are flippers.