WALRUS 

 Walrus. — Odobenus rosmarus 



and related species 



General Description. — A very large, seal-like mammal 

 with hairless (almost), wrinkled skin and large, tusk-like 

 upper canines. Head proportionally small ; muzzle blunt and 

 broad, set with coarse bristles; body gross and ponderous; 



Fig. 43. Walrus 



neck massive; fore-flippers with five toes bearing flat nails; 

 hind flippers with fifth toe longest, nails on all five toes but 

 those on first and fifth flat, others long and pointed; tail 

 vestigial; skin very thick and rugose. 



Color. — Sexes colored alike; yellowish brown everywhere 

 except for reddish brown on base of flippers and on underparts. 



Measurements. — Males about a third larger than females; 

 males 10 to 11 feet in length, weighing from 2000 to 3000 

 pounds. 



Geographical Distribution. — Arctic Seas. 



Food. — Principally molluscs, bivalves, starfish, and shrimp. 



Enemies. — Polar Bear and Killer Whale. 



Species of the Genus Odobenus 



Atlantic Walrus; Morse; Sea-horse. — Odobenus rosmarus 

 (Linnaeus). 

 As described. Found in the North Atlantic and adjacent 

 Arctic seas south to coast of Labrador. 



181 



