Walrus

Walruses are closely related to seals but they are much larger. They can grow to be 12-15 feet long and weigh almost 3,000 pounds. For swimming, they have two sets of flippers (front and back) and they can use their back flippers to make them waddle on land. Both male and female walruses have long ivory tusks which they can use for digging clams (their favorite food!) as well as for pulling themselves out of the water onto the ice. They can also use their tusks as weapons for fighting each other and attacking large animals. When they are not in the water, walruses like to rest in cozy groups on big pieces of ice. One enemy of the walrus is the polar bear but walrus' biggest enemy is people who use the walrus for food and, clothing, shelter and for its ivory tusks. Special facts: Walruses can live up to 40 years and walrus pups weigh about 100 pounds when they are born.