Walrus Skull

myminifactory

The walrus, known scientifically as Odobenus rosmarus, is a massive flippered marine mammal that inhabits a vast range of the North Pole in the Arctic Ocean and subarctic seas of the Northern Hemisphere. This iconic species is the sole living member of its family, Odobenidae, and genus, Odobenus. Walruses are subdivided into three distinct subspecies: the Atlantic walrus (O. r. rosmarus), which thrives in the Atlantic Ocean; the Pacific walrus (O. r. divergens), which calls the Pacific Ocean home; and O. r. laptevi, found exclusively in the Laptev Sea of the Arctic Ocean. Adult walruses are instantly recognizable due to their impressive tusks, whiskers, and massive bulkiness. Males from the Pacific region can weigh over 2,000 kg (4,400 lb), eclipsing all other pinnipeds except for two species of elephant seals in terms of size. Walruses spend most of their lives in shallow waters above continental shelves, frequently venturing onto sea ice to search for benthic bivalve mollusks to feed on. These animals are remarkably long-lived and social, earning them the reputation as a "keystone species" within Arctic marine ecosystems. Throughout history, walruses have played a vital role in the cultures of many indigenous Arctic peoples, who have hunted these magnificent creatures for their meat, fat, skin, tusks, and bone. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, walruses were heavily exploited for their blubber, ivory, and meat, leading to a catastrophic decline in their population across the Arctic region. Although the species has partially recovered since then, the populations of Atlantic and Laptev walruses remain fragmented and severely depleted compared to pre-human interference levels. To learn more about this project, click on the following link: https://www.dundee.ac.uk/museum/collections/zoology/zoology3d/#d.en.387890