Walrus what do they eat

Oceana Canada has a tip, eat like a walrus! They have a perfect beach body, ideal for playing in the water and laying around to catch some rays. We can certainly learn from these adorable creatures and emulate their ability to eat well. Walruses eat a nutrient-rich diet that is as healthy for them as it is for the ocean.

Adopt an animal today and help protect some of our most endangered wildlife and support other vital work around our planet. We need your help to give rangers the strength and safety they need, and to tackle poaching and demand for products like ivory.

Join us and you can help stop the illegal wildlife trade and tackle other threats facing our natural world. Here are 10 things everyone should know about these majestic ocean wonders. The Atlantic and Pacific — which both occupy different areas of the Arctic. There's thought to be around 25, Atlantic and around , Pacific walrus in the wild. Male Pacific walruses can reach 3. And big is beautiful — they need fat to stay alive. They use these tusks to help them haul themselves out of the water and onto sea ice.

Their tusks are also used for fighting with other walruses, and defence against predators. Walruses have young fairly infrequently, so it is vital for them to protect their offspring. Walruses are terrestrial, marine mammals, meaning they can swim in the ocean and walk on land and sea ice. Walruses typically eat mollusks, but worms, snails, soft shell crabs, shrimp, and sea cucumbers can also be found on their menu.

Click here or below to download hands-on marine science activities for kids. Marine Mammals Walrus Odobenus rosmarus. Home Marine Life. Fun Facts About Walruses 1. Learn More.

These Arctic giants do not have external ears. They have thick skin, which is underlined by very thick blubber, whose thickness can be 15 cm. Walruses are excellent swimmers and divers. They can dive to depths of about 90 m to forage. These organisms are very social among each other. They can form herds of about 2, members. How Do Walruses Hunt? This eating behavior can be translated to about kg per day for a male walrus weighing kg. Adult walruses use their magnificent tusks as weapons to ward off predators.

Walrus calves tend to be more vulnerable to predators. Examples of organisms that prey on walruses include polar bears and killer whales. Native people living in the Arctic region also hunt walruses for their meat, tusks, bones, and hides. These arctic Eskimos are the only individuals legally allowed to kill walruses. Walruses play a significant role in the animal food chain as prey and predators.

By feeding on benthic organisms, they influence the structure and the local population of benthic invertebrates. As such, they help maintain a balance in the arctic ecosystem. These enormous organisms sweep on the seafloor to find their food, an activity that exposes buried nutrients considered to be vital for other organisms in the food chain.

In general, because of their feeding activity, they support the life of other organisms in their biotic community. In their role as prey, walruses provide a vital source of nutrients to organisms that dine on them, thus promoting their survival.