LittauNet Daily Picture

©Copyright by Susan Savage

Members of the Family Odobenidae

These walrus of Cape Seniavin, Bristol Bay, are some of the world's largest pinnipeds. Adult males average over 2,700 lbs in weight and 10.5 feet in length! A pinniped ("fin-footed") is a carnivore who lives in the water and uses flippers for locomotion on land and water.

They have tusks, which are two enlarged upper canine teeth. They have small eyes, no external ears, and square snouts with stiff whiskers. When a walrus is young it is usually dark and becomes lighter as it gets older. Swimming in icy cold waters causes blood flow restriction to the skin and an almost white appearance. When the walrus warms up on land ("hauls out"), its skin returns to a darker color. See yesterday's photo for examples of that.

©Photo by Susan Savage, USFWS, with an Olympus Camedia C-700


Members of the Family Odobenidae
These walrus of Cape Seniavin, Bristol Bay, are some of the world's largest pinnipeds. Adult males average over 2,700 lbs in weight and 10.5 feet in length! A pinniped ("fin-footed") is a carnivore who lives in the water and uses flippers for locomotion on land and water.
They have tusks, which are two enlarged upper canine teeth. They have small eyes, no external ears, and square snouts with stiff whiskers. When a walrus is young it is usually dark and becomes lighter as it gets older. Swimming in icy cold waters causes blood flow restriction to the skin and an almost white appearance. When the walrus warms up on land ("hauls out"), its skin returns to a darker color. See yesterday's photo for examples of that.
©Photo by Susan Savage, USFWS, with an Olympus Camedia C-700