Last modified: Thursday September 24th, 1999 |
WalrusOdobenus rosmarus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
Two subspecies are commonly recognized: the Atlantic walrus, Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus (Linnaeus, 1758), and the Pacific walrus, Odobenus rosmarus divergens (Illiger, 1815). A third subspecies has been proposed, the Laptev Sea walrus, Odobenus rosmarus laptevi (Chapski, 1940), but this is not commonly recognized as such.
The walrus is a very large and robust pinniped, with a cinnamon-brown skin, which becomes lighter with age. The skin is covered with short coarse hair. The walrus' most distinctive features are the large tusks (enlarged upper canine teeth). Of the Atlantic subspecies, the males measure 300 cm and weigh 1,200 kg. Females measure 250 cm and weigh 750 kg. At birth pups are 140 cm long and weigh 50 kg. The Pacific walrus is slightly larger: males are 360 cm long and weigh 1600 kg, female are 260 cm long and weigh 1250 kg and pups measure 140 cm and weigh 60 kg. |
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Both the Atlantic and the Pacific walrus each inhabit two distinct areas:
The walrus feeds mainly on benthic invertebrates, such as molluscs, echinoderms and crustaceans. They eat upto 45 kg per day.
Females become mature at ages 5 through 7, males at 5 through 10. 80% of the females calve every 2 years, 15% every 3 years and 5% less frequently. Gestation lasts 15 months, including a delay of implantation of 3-3½ months. Lactation lasts 1 to 2 years. Longevity is about 40 years. The mortality rate for the Pacific walrus is 5%. Trophic relationsPotentially there is some competition with the bearded seal, Erignathus barbatus. There are no known predators. InteractionsThe current exploration for oil involves low flying aeroplanes, which have been shown to disturb the walrus. Population sizeFrom aerial surveys the following population estimates have been derived for the separate areas (see under Distribution):
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Presently about 5% of the population of the Pacific walrus is taken annually (about 6,000 animals).
The unretrieved kill is high: 30-50%of the animals killed. No harvest data are available for the other
populations. The harvest of the walrus is regulated. Since 1972 there is only subsistence hunting
allowed in Alaska for Eskimos, Indians and Aleutians, but no quota are set. In the Pacific region of
the USSR, a quotum is set at 2,000 animals. In Canada the allowed kill is 7 animals per family per
year, with a ban on export of hide and tusks. In Greenland, only Danish citizens are allowed to hunt
the walrus in the Davis Strait and Baffin Bay. There has been no harvest in the Northeast Atlantic since 1952.
In the Laptev Sea only natives and members of scientific expeditions are allowed to kill walruses.
Threats to the populationThere have been investigations in the feasability of mollusk harvests in the Arctic. If mollusks would be exploited, this would mean harrassment and a reduction in food supply for the walrus. Arctic oil exploitation can create ecological problems and the traffic involved would disturb walruses. |
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