The walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) is a sea dwelling mammal and
the only living member of the Odoboenidae family. The walrus lives in the
oceans of the Northern Hemisphere as well as the Artic
Ocean. The walrus is a viral
component in the marine ecosystem of the Artic.
Walrus' can weigh as much as 4,500 pounds and spends a large
majority of its time on the oceanic shelves and ice of the Artic. Walrus eat
mollusks and can reach an age of 30 years in the wild. They don't mate until
they are 15 years old and a female walrus carries her young in her womb for 16
months.
Prominent features of a walrus include their large size, distinguishing
whiskers and large tusks. The tusks of a walrus can be as long as three feet in
length and dominant the face of both males and females. Tusks are actually
canine teeth used in fighting rather than foraging.
Walrus are hunted for their meat, blubber and tusks but in
much smaller numbers than in the past.