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- Scientific Name: Odobenus RosmarusNational Geographic: Walrus
- Habitat: Arctic OceanThe Humane Society of the United States: Walrus
- Diet: CarnivorousNational Geographic: Walrus
- Size: 7.25 to 11.5 feetNational Geographic: Walrus
- Weight: up to 1.5 tonsNational Geographic: Walrus
- Lifespan: up to 40 years in the wildNational Geographic: Walrus
- Endangered: yesNational Geographic: Walrus
- Predators: Humans, killer whale, polar bearNational Geographic Magazine: Walruses
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A walrus, or "tooth-walking seahorse", is a large marine mammal. Their characteristic features are their long tusks, prickly mustache and flat flippers.National Geographic: Walrus
Behavior
Walruses are very social animals.ref name="ADW">Animal Diversity Web: Walrus</ref> The size of a male walrus's tusks and body, in addition to his overall aggressiveness, determines his social status. The smallest walruses generally wind up in the lowest social class. Males are quite vocal during courtship displays.Sea World: Walrus Info Book (932.67 KB) They are adept at swimming, reaching speeds of up the 35 kilometers per hour.BBC: Science & Nature - WalrusBreeding
Breeding takes place from December through March. In the Pacific, walruses herd and meet in the south Bering Sea. Males are physical able to reproduce by eight to ten years of age and females by five to six years of age. For both males and females, the success rate for reproduction occurs at age fifteen for males and ten for females.Sea World: Walrus - Reproduction Gestation period is fifteen to sixteen months. There is usually just one calf born, sometimes twins, with newborn calves weighing between 99 and 165 pounds.Defenders of Wildlife: Walrus Calves are nursed for two years.The Humane Society of the United States: Walrus


