river
mortenson
|
river
mortenson
|
 |
||
|
 |
Walrus Odobenus Rosmarus Everyone knows what a walrus looks like! Its long ivory tusks are used for many things, including digging for clams and for protection from attack by polar bears, killer whales and local hunters in kayaks. The size of the tusks also help to determine dominance among males and extremely long tusks may help get a walrus the best sunbathing spot on the beach! Their thick skin protects them from sharp rocks (and sharp teeth!) and their blubbery fat keeps them from the cold arctic waters. Walrus are very slow on land because they are so big and clumsy, but in the water they are very fast and strong. They can dive down 300 feet to retrieve their favorite food, clams, from the sea bottom. A walrus can eat 4,000 clams in one feeding! http://www.mnh.si.edu/arctic/html/walrus.html |
| © copyright 2001 by Pinniped Design Occidental, California | | pinnipeds | pups and calves | walruses | | |