Pacific Walrus

The Pacific Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) is one of two subspecies of the family Odobenidae. They can be found all over the Arctic in the Bering and Chukchi seas. Some small groups have even been seen in the Beaufort sea. Pacific walruses feed on clams and other invertebrates on the sea floor such as crabs, sea anemones, tunicates, and snails. Using its mustache, or vibrissae, the walrus feels along the bottom. The hairs are actually super-sensitive fibers, much like the bristles on a hair brush. Upon finding a prey item, the walrus uses jets of water and suction to get the food out of its hiding place to eat it. Powerful mandibular muscles allow these animals to suck clams out of their shells with relative ease. Walruses usually feed in shallow water, only about 400 feet, and can remain underwater feeding for around 5 minutes. Males can stay under for a little longer than females due to their larger lungs. Pacific walruses differ from Atlantics in that they are slightly larger and have longer tusks.

Weighing around 2,700 pounds (with a maximum weight of around 3200 lbs), Pacific walruses are the second largest member of the superfamily Pinnipedia, next to the Southern Elephant Seal. Walruses in general use sea ice to travel to new feeding grounds and haul-outs (a haul-out is an island that walruses use for resting during migration) or ooglit as the natives call them. This is an effective use of sea currents, and it makes walruses seem very lazy (which they are). Females also use the ice to birth and nurse their calves. Ice creates a defensive barrier of water between the walruses and potential predators, as well, protecting them and isolating them from Polar bears and Orca whales. However, possibly the greatest threat to walruses is man himself. Poaching is currently out of control, and the killing of walruses still goes unchecked. Most of this crime is centered around the tusks, a prized source of ivory. Even native peoples, like Eskimos and Inuits, have sunk to using automatic rifles to claim walruses for the tusks. They are taken, and the carcass is left to float away. It is a sad truth, and something must be done to stop these crimes from transpiring, before our friend the walrus ends up like the ill-fated dodo bird. *gasp!*