Last Updated on 02/13/2024

Walrus, these huge marine mammals to be found mainly in the Arctic Ocean, around the North Pole, and in seas on the Northern hemisphere, are well-known for their characteristic appearance and strange way of movement: these bulky animals have huge tusks and thick, long whiskers and, when it comes to pulling themselves out of the water, they use their strong tusks as a walking aid. Therefore, it seems that, indeed, walrus walk on their teeth, at least sometimes. The Latin name of the species, Odobenus rosmarus, is actually a very tell-tale name, meaning “tooth-walking sea horse”.

Walruses sport a large body and they are usually pink or dark-colored. Their fur is thin, but has extraordinary insulation properties – combined with the thick layer of fat underneath (in some cases as thick as 6 inches), this fur makes sure the walrus is never cold. They weigh between 600 and 1,500 kilos and can reach the length of 3 meters or more. Males are usually twice the size of females and their tusks are also longer and thicker, in some cases reaching the length of 1 meter. The tusks serve multiple functions – they are used by the animal not only to get out of the water, but also as tools to obtain food, being the animal’s only functional teeth. Other than that, the tusks are used as weapons against other walruses and intruders and as a measurement device to establish hierarchy among males.

Walruses are carnivores, but their bulky bodies make them clumsy, so they prefer to feed on shellfish. They like shallow waters, where they can forage the sea bed and avail themselves of the mollusks, tube worms, sea cucumbers, shrimps and crabs they live on.

Walruses live until the age of 20-30. Females reach sexual maturity around the age of 4, while males become adults around the age of 7. However, males start mating only around the age of 15.The walrus mating season lasts between January and April, with gestation lasting 15-16 months. They are capable of delayed implantation, being able to postpone birth if circumstances are not suitable. Calves are born between April and June – they are fully developed when they are born, they can swim and they weigh between 45 and 75 kilos. They are nursed by the mothers for more than a year, but they usually stay with their mothers for another four or five years.

Walruses live in large colonies that, in some cases, consist of several hundred thousand individuals;
They can sleep for 19 hours and they can also stay awake for more than three days, if they have to;
They are extremely able divers, sometimes going down to deeper than 100 meters in search of food;
They have only two predators: polar bears and killer whales;
They usually feed on small creatures of the sea, but they are known to attack seals occasionally.

The Remarkable Mechanism: How Walruses Use Their Teeth to Ambulate

When you think of walruses, the first image that might pop into your mind is their impressive, long tusks. But have you ever wondered about the unique ways these marine mammals utilize their teeth, beyond just for show or combat? Interestingly, one of the most fascinating aspects of walrus behavior is their ability to use their teeth, particularly their tusks, to aid in locomotion on land and ice. This article dives into the intriguing world of walruses, focusing on the peculiar yet effective method they employ to walk using their teeth.

Understanding Walrus Anatomy and Tusks

The Role of Tusks in Walrus Mobility

Walruses, known scientifically as Odobenus rosmarus, are equipped with elongated canines, or tusks, which play a crucial role in their day-to-day activities. These tusks are not just for defense or dominance displays; they are essential tools for movement on slippery surfaces. When a walrus hauls itself out of the water onto ice or land, it uses its tusks to anchor itself, pulling its massive body forward. This action is akin to using ice picks to climb, demonstrating a unique adaptation to their icy habitat.

Adaptations for Life in Cold Waters

The physical makeup of a walrus is a testament to its adaptation to life in frigid waters. Their thick blubber not only insulates them against the cold but also aids in buoyancy. The walrus’s flipper structure, combined with their tusks, provides the necessary support for their “tooth-walking” behavior. This technique showcases the walrus’s remarkable ability to adapt its anatomy for survival in harsh environments.

The Biomechanics of Tooth-Walking

How Walruses Propel Themselves on Land

Tooth-walking is a term that describes how walruses use their tusks to aid in locomotion on land and ice. This process involves the walrus thrusting its tusks into the ice or ground and leveraging them to pull its hefty body forward. This method of movement is not only practical but also energy-efficient for the walrus, considering its size and the slippery terrain it often navigates.

The Efficiency of Tooth-Walking in Ice Navigation

Navigating the icy landscapes of the Arctic requires special adaptations, and walruses have mastered this with their tooth-walking ability. The efficiency of this movement lies in the walrus’s ability to distribute its weight and maintain stability on slippery surfaces, preventing it from slipping and aiding in its overall mobility. This biomechanical adaptation is a perfect example of evolution tailoring a species to thrive in its specific environment.

The Ecological Impact of Tooth-Walking

Contribution to Walrus Feeding Behavior

Tooth-walking also plays a significant role in how walruses feed. While foraging for food, walruses will often use their tusks to stir up the sediment on the ocean floor, uncovering clams and other mollusks. This feeding strategy, coupled with their sensitive whiskers or vibrissae, allows walruses to detect and scoop up their prey effectively.

The Role in Social Interactions and Hierarchy

Within walrus communities, tusks are a symbol of age, experience, and social status. The length and condition of a walrus’s tusks can influence its position within the social hierarchy. Tooth-walking, therefore, is not just a means of physical mobility but also a display of strength and capability, playing a pivotal role in social interactions among walruses.

In conclusion, the walrus’s ability to walk on its teeth is a remarkable adaptation that highlights the incredible ways marine mammals have evolved to survive in their unique habitats. This behavior not only aids in their mobility across slippery surfaces but also influences their feeding strategies and social structures. Understanding these unique adaptations provides insight into the complex interplay between anatomy, behavior, and environment in the animal kingdom.

FAQs About Walrus Tooth-Walking

1. How do walruses use their tusks to walk? Walruses use their tusks by thrusting them into the ice or ground and leveraging them to pull their massive bodies forward. This action is similar to using ice picks, which helps them navigate slippery surfaces more efficiently.

2. Why is tooth-walking important for walruses? Tooth-walking is crucial for walruses as it aids in their mobility on land and ice, allows for efficient foraging by stirring up the ocean floor, and plays a role in social interactions and establishing hierarchy within groups.

3. Can all walruses tooth-walk? Most walruses have the ability to tooth-walk, as it is a behavior developed for survival. However, the effectiveness and frequency of tooth-walking can vary among individuals, depending on factors such as age, tusk length, and physical condition.

4. How does tooth-walking affect the walrus’s feeding behavior? Tooth-walking allows walruses to access food sources more effectively. By using their tusks to disturb the sediment on the ocean floor, they can uncover hidden prey such as clams and mollusks, which are a significant part of their diet.

5. Is tooth-walking unique to walruses? Yes, tooth-walking is a unique behavior observed in walruses. This adaptation is specifically tailored to their needs and environment, showcasing the remarkable ways in which animals evolve to thrive in their respective habitats.