THE WALRUS By 9E

Getting to know the Walrus

The odobenus rosmarus ( tooth walking sea cow )

Can weigh up to 3000 pounds in the summer when ice melts,

females head north while the males just stay there. scientist aren't sure why but they think it has something to do with sperm production

The walrus can live up to 30 years

Fun Facts a walruses whiskers are not actually

hair !they are tactical organs that are used for feeling objects !!!

Walruses make noises above and below water they are known to snort, roar, whistle, grunt, bark, rasp, click.

Walruses don’t have good eye sight but there hearing and sense of smell is excellent

Perental care Walruses care for there clave for up to 2

years Walrus calves can weigh up to 165

pounds and up to four feet long The mother will care for its calve mostly

in the water but will still teach how to hunt at the age of 6 to 8 months

Walrus fertilization one offspring at a time Females leave the ice to go to a male in

the water, where mating takes place. After fertilization the ovum becomes a

blastocyst and remains in a state of suspended development for 3-4 months. Implantation occurs in June or July and the fetus resumes development for approximately eleven months. Calves are usually born in late April or May.

Gestation period The walrus gestation period is from 15-16

months The age of sexual maturity for females is

from 8-10 years For males it is 15