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Jason Crummey visits Western Bay Newfoundland.  Guess which one is Jason.! See below, with the ugly one removed.

Walrus, Western Bay, Newfoundland. Photos by H. Pinsent. 1997. Male Walrus, known as "Bulls" can be  10-12 feet in length and weigh up to 3500 lbs. Both males and fremales have tusks. The tusks are modified canine teeth that continue to grow down from the upper jaw throughout the walrus's life. 1/5 on the tusks length is hidden in the jaw. A walrus may use its tusks to get a firm grip when hauling out on the ice or to support its head as it rests. Tusks are used as weapons against rivals during the breeding season, and they are used as a status symbol in the herd.

The Walrus is an endangered species. Walrus were once numerous, inhabiting the Arctic Ocean, The North Atlantic, the Gulf of St. Lawrence and as far south as Cape Cod. But hunting brought them to the brink of extinction.

Walrus are members of the order of Pinnipedia and it's family is Odobenidae. Odobenidae comes from a Greek word meaning "one who walks with his teeth." The genus and species of the Walrus is Odobenus Rosmarus.

The main diet of a Walrus is bivalve mollusks...scallops, mussels etc. But Walrus also eat invertibate marine animals, fish and seals. To locate food, Walruses will use their vibrissae (whiskers). A walrus has about 400 to 700 vibrissae in 13 to 15 rows on its snout. Vibrissae are attached to muscles and are supplied with blood and nerves. A walrus moves its snout through bottom sediment to find scallops etc. Although the Tusks are dragged through the sediment, they are not used to dig up prey. Walruses may also take in mouthfuls of water and squirt powerful jets at the sea floor, excavating burrowing invertebrates such as clams.

Walrus usually live in herds. Walrus live up to 40 years. Males reach sexual maturity at about 15 years; While females reach maturity at about 6-7 years. The Walrus mating season is from January-March. Gestat ion is  15 months. Only one pup is born and the young remains with it's mother for 18-24 months.
 
 
 
 
 
 

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