![]() However, mating is believed to take place in the water. Both sexes congregate in their haul-out sites, which are rocky or sandy beaches, to pick potential mates. During the winter and summer, both male and female walruses gather in the thousands to breed. Males sexually mature around ages 7 and 10 but don’t mate until they are approximately 15 years old, when they are socially mature. ( "Walrus", 2011 Fishbach, et al., 2008 Kastelein, 2008)įemale walruses sexually mature between the ages of 5 and 7. Sometimes these fights can be very gruesome and even fatal. ![]() Tusk fights occur between males over who gets to mate with a group of females either on land or in water. When it comes to mating, usually the strongest, largest and oldest of the males get to mate with the females. These noises are meant to intimidate other walruses. These noises, not only attract females, but also serve as a warning to other male walruses. Underwater, the males make bell whistling noises and thumping noises to get the attention of females. Males have many mating calls and noises they make to attract females during mating season and in order to mark their territory. Walruses are polygynous, meaning that one male usually mates with many females. Males usually have thicker skin than females as well. Males also have longer and thicker tusks than females. Females of the same age can weigh 600 to 850 kg and grow to a length of 270 cm. Male have greater mass than females, weighing up to 1200 to 1500 kg and can be as long as 320 cm. It uses its hind flippers as a motor to move its large body through the waters with the help of the front flippers to navigate which direction it will go in. They have short front flippers not only to swim but also to assist them on land. They have relatively small eyes because they rely mainly on sense of touch to find food. Walruses have whiskers to help them feel around on the ocean floor. Walruses have short fur in most areas of their bodies except their appendages. The layer of blubber underneath the skin can be as thick as 25.4 cm. ![]() The skin thickness varies across the body but is usually 2 to 4 cm thick. Walrus pups skin color differs from the adult, because they are usually solid grey, while adults can range in colors. Walruses have thick skin that ranges from a light grey to a yellowish brown color. Tusks can grow to a length of 90 cm but the average size is roughly 50 cm. The tusks can be used for the walruses to defend themselves from larger predators and are also a way to establish dominance and a hierarchy among walruses. ![]() They also assist walruses in climbing out of the water and onto the ice. These tusks can break through 20 cm of ice. This animal is known for their massive tusks, which are really just enlarged canine teeth. The Pacific walruses tend to have a larger body mass than the Atlantic walruses. Walruses are one of the largest pinnipeds. Optimal is defined as relatively thin ice but thick enough to hold the enormous weight of their bodies. The migrations ensure that the walruses can be where the most optimal ice is found. Walruses migrate north during the summer and south in the winter. Females spend more time on ice opposed to the males, who spend more of their time on sand or boulder beaches. This slow moving marine mammal spends the majority of its time in or around water. Walruses prefer areas with shallow water so they can easily access food. Walruses inhabit areas in the Arctic that are largely made up of ice. Laptev walruses are the smallest subspecies of walrus with only a few thousand living currently in the Laptev Sea and the least is known about them. Laptev walruses ( Odobenus rosmarus laptevi) are found in the Laptev Sea. Atlantic walruses ( Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) resides in the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean. In warm summer months it could travel as far the Beaufort Sea and the East Siberian Sea. Pacific walruses ( Odobenus roasmarus divergens) live primarily in the Bering Sea. Walruses ( Odobenus rosmarus) are found in Arctic regions of the world.
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