Walrus
Odobenus rosmarus
- Scientific name
- Odobenus rosmarus
- Group
- Marine mammals
- Rarity
- Epic
- Where to see it
- Cold / polar waters
- Conservation status (IUCN)
- Vulnerable
Did you know?
The walrus uses its long tusks to haul itself out of the water onto sea ice, which is reflected in its scientific name, meaning roughly the one who walks with its teeth.
What defines this group — Marine mammals
Warm-blooded, they nurse their young and breathe air — the group closest to us underwater.
- They breathe through a blowhole (whales, dolphins) or nostrils (seals, sea lions).
- A thick layer of blubber, rather than fur, insulates them from the cold.
- Many navigate and hunt by sound, using echolocation.