The Walrus

1. The Walrus By 9E

2. Getting to know the Walrus • The odobenus rosmarus ( tooth walking sea cow ) • Can weigh up to 3000 pounds • in the summer when ice melts, females head north while the males just stay there. scientist aren't sure why but they think it has something to do with sperm production • The walrus can live up to 30 years

3. Fun Facts • a walruses whiskers are not actually hair !they are tactical organs that are used for feeling objects !!! • Walruses make noises above and below water they are known to snort, roar, whistle, grunt, bark, rasp, click. • Walruses don’t have good eye sight but there hearing and sense of smell is excellent

4. Perental care • Walruses care for there clave for up to 2 years • Walrus calves can weigh up to 165 pounds and up to four feet long • The mother will care for its calve mostly in the water but will still teach how to hunt at the age of 6 to 8 months

5. Walrus fertilization • one offspring at a time • Females leave the ice to go to a male in the water, where mating takes place. • After fertilization the ovum becomes a blastocyst and remains in a state of suspended development for 3-4 months. Implantation occurs in June or July and the fetus resumes development for approximately eleven months. Calves are usually born in late April or May.

6. Gestation period • The walrus gestation period is from 15-16 months • The age of sexual maturity for females is from 8-10 years • For males it is 15