Walrus

Tusked marine mammals heralding climate emergency!

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Walrus are the only living members of this family found in the arctic region. They’re big and bulky (15,00kgs or 1.5 tonnes), and it’s good because multiple fat layers help them survive the frozen north pole. Walrus face the brunt of climate change, with the most immediate threat being ice melting (their resting ground).


Walrus tend to form large huddles on pack ice and are extremely sensitive to disturbances (immediately dragging themselves back into the sea at the slightest of disturbances). Reducing space because of melting ice causes them to form more closely packed huddles, which often results in a massive stampede, even when one of them gets spooked and runs back into the sea. Walrus woefully indicates the impending climate reality staring us all in the eyes.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Pacific ocean
>200,000
VU
2016
Trend unknown
Arctic Ocean
2016
Atlantic Ocean
>25,000
VU
2016
Overall trend unknown
Chukchi Sea
2016
Bering Sea
2016
Beaufort Sea
2016
Belgium
2016
Presence Uncertain, Vagrant
Canada
2016
Denmark
2016
Presence Uncertain, Vagrant
Finland
2016
Presence Uncertain, Vagrant
France
2016
Presence Uncertain, Vagrant
Germany
2016
Presence Uncertain, Vagrant
Greenland
2016
Iceland
2016
Presence Uncertain, Vagrant
Ireland
2016
Presence Uncertain, Vagrant
Japan
2016
Presence Uncertain, Vagrant
Netherlands
2016
Presence Uncertain, Vagrant
Norway
2016
Presence Uncertain, Vagrant
Russia
2016
Spain
2016
Presence Uncertain, Vagrant
Svalbard
2016
Sweden
2016
Presence Uncertain, Vagrant
United Kingdom
2016
Presence Uncertain, Vagrant
United States
2016
Alaska
United States
2016
Presence Uncertain: Maine, Massachusetts

Did you know?

  • Their tusks are elongated upper canine teeth.
  • They can dive up to 500 m (1600 ft) deep, and up to 40 minutes!
  • They have an excellent sense of smell and can detect prey on the ocean floor, even in complete darkness.

Anything we've missed?

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Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd / Group

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No