Walrus Skin Weighs A Lot

As babies, walruses can gain about 1 kilogram (2 lbs) every day. Males grow to be larger than the females, and their tusks-which are their canine teeth-can reach lengths of 1 meter (3 ft 3 in). Males wield these tusks in fights for dominance, but females have them too, and both sexes use them to hoist themselves out of the water.

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Key Facts In This Video

  1. When there isn't enough ice in the Arctic Circle, thousands of walruses swim to Alaska instead. 00:24

  2. Walruses use their tusks to haul themselves out of the water and make breathing holes in ice. 01:41

  3. Walrus mustaches aren't made of hair—they consist of specialized organs called mustacial vibrissae. 03:08

Written by Curiosity Staff August 24, 2015
