Walrus are enormous creatures that can withstand the freezing Arctic temperatures.
Here are 5 facts you might not know about the Giants of the Arctic.

1. Walrus are MASSIVE

While adult females usually grow up to 2.5 metres long and weigh around 900Kg, male walrus can reach about 3.5 metres long and weigh up to 1.5 tons, the weight of a small car!

2. Walrus tusks grow throughout their life

Walrus have two large external tusks that can grow up to 1 metre long and weigh around 5 kg. They grow continuously throughout their lives and are used as symbols of age, sex, and social status. They are also used for defence and to help them climb on ice.
Males use their tusks to show dominance and as strong weapons when they fight during the breeding season.

3. Walrus are impressive divers

They can dive up to 90 metres deep while in search of food and stay underwater for up to 30 minutes!

4. Walrus use their whisker to find food

They are foraging at the bottom of the sea at depths up to 80 metres. Because they have a bad vision in murky waters, they rely on their sensitive whiskers to help them find foods including clams, mollusks, sea cucumbers and more.

5. Walrus can change colour

It’s actually a variation in their blood supply at the periphery of their body that can cause a change of colour to adjust to some circumstances. From an usual brownish colour, they can turn white when diving or pink when they are warm.