Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today we are talking about
WALRUSES
Here are 5 things everyone should know about these majestic ocean wonders.
1. THERE ARE TWO MAIN SUBSPECIES OF WALRUS
The Atlantic and Pacific – which both occupy different areas of the Arctic. There's thought to be around 25,000 Atlantic and around 200,000 Pacific walrus in the wild.
2. THEY WEIGH A TONNE
Male Pacific walruses can reach 3.6 m long and weigh over 1,500kg (that’s 1.5 tonnes!). And big is beautiful – they need fat to stay alive.
3. BOTH MALE AND FEMALE WALRUSES HAVE TUSKS
They use these tusks to haul themselves out of the water and onto sea ice. Their tusks are also used for keeping breathing holes open in the ice, fighting with other walruses, and defence against predators.
4. MOTHER WALRUSES ARE VERY PROTECTIVE OF THEIR YOUNG
A mother will pick a calf up with her flippers and hold it to her chest if it’s threatened, diving into the water with it to escape predators. Walruses have young fairly infrequently, so it is vital for them to protect their offspring.
5. THEY CAN LIVE TO AROUND 40 YEARS OLD
And it shows. Most of them carry a vast map scars on their skin – wounds inflicted in disputes with fellow walrus during the breeding season.
And as always have a chilled day from the Viking
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