Without them, as if without hands: why do we need tusks for walruses?

Walruses are the largest pinnipeds of the northern hemisphere of our planet. Their superiority can be challenged only by the sea elephants living in the southern hemisphere of the Earth. A distinctive feature of these mammals are, of course, their long fangs, which eventually turned into tusks. Why do we need tusks for walruses? We will try to answer this question in our article.

Who are walruses?

They are representatives of the mammalian class living in the Arctic seas, which represent the only modern species belonging to the family of the same name - Walrus. Systematically walruses belong to a group of pinnipeds. Adult individuals are easily recognized by their outstanding long tusks. It is a mistake to believe that these are independent fangs. This is not entirely true, because the upper fang of the walrus over time has changed not only its shape, but also its purpose: it has become a real tusk. But we'll talk about this a little later.

Description of the species

Before explaining why you need tusks for walruses, you should consider this type of pinniped heavyweights in detail. Walruses are large marine pinnipeds with fairly thick skin, covered with short yellowish-brown hair. Its thickness can sometimes exceed 5 centimeters. With age, hair falls down. In old individuals, the skin is practically naked. Under the skin just above the scapula are two outgrowths. Under them are hidden so-called air bags. Walruses fill them with air, which allows them to sleep on the surface of the water.

The body length of adult males can exceed 4 meters, and their maximum weight is 2 tons. As already mentioned above, the large upper fangs eventually developed into well-developed tusks. Their total weight reaches 12 kilograms. In length, each tusk grows to 1 meter. Walrus (photo is presented in the article) has a rather wide muzzle, seated with a large number of thick and stiff bristles resembling a mustache (vibrissae). These animals have no external organs of hearing, and the eyes are small and blind.

Distribution of the species

Walruses are typically Arctic inhabitants. For example, the Pacific subspecies is found in shallow waters in the Chukchi and East Siberian seas. According to scientists, the current population of Pacific walruses is not more than 200 000 individuals. The lion's share is found not only in the Chukchi and East Siberian seas, but also near the Wrangel Island, in the Beaufort Sea. In the summer, walruses can be observed in Anadyr and Bristol Bay.

Unfortunately, the Atlantic subspecies of walruses was practically exterminated as a result of commercial fishing, which at one time was not controlled by the relevant authorities. The population of this subspecies of pinnipeds currently does not exceed 20,000 individuals. The Atlantic walrus is widespread from Arctic Canada, Spitsbergen and Greenland to the western region of the Russian Arctic.

Tusks of walruses

Tusks are the most characteristic feature of all adult walruses. As already mentioned above, once they were fangs, which eventually lengthened and transformed into tusks. They are both in males and females. These fangs grow throughout the life of the animal, constantly being updated. Why do we need tusks for walruses? Of course, for fights, for social domination, for finding food ... And not only! Let's consider this issue in more detail.

What for a walrus tusks?

Tusks are a universal tool for all walruses. They are also used as an ice ax, without which it is simply impossible to move over slippery ice, and as a kind of scapula with which walruses extract shells from the seabed and as a support for the heavy head, and even as a deadly weapon necessary for battle With rivals and enemies (polar bears). In addition, these pinnipeds, heavy weights, are stabbing large prey by tusks. In the end, this is a distinctive sign of walruses: who has the fangs is more powerful, that's the main one!

Apparently, there are many explanations for what are needed for tusks walruses. Scientists say that, despite all the above advantages of tusks, their main role is social. The fact is that long and powerful fangs testify to the corresponding social status of this or that individual: in any clusters of walruses, the leader and leader is that individual whose fangs visually will look more powerful and longer than others.

If, for example, the dominant male suddenly meets his counterpart with exactly the same long and large fangs, it can not be avoided! Not always such fights lead to the death of a weak opponent, very often one of the walruses leaves the battlefield. Scientists note that the social sign of the walrus difference, concentrated in their fangs, is not limited to the dominance of these animals. The shape of the tusks and their dimensions also indicate the age and field of the pustule.

Why the walrus tusks still? For the hunt, of course! It is impossible not to note how the walruses procure their livelihood with the help of their long fangs. The animal dives deep into the sea, gets to the bottom and there already with the help of its tusks begins to scour in search of food: oysters, shells, mussels and other mollusks. Walrus digs the seabed with his fangs and stringes the victim on its tusk, like a piece of meat on a skewer!