Mary Allen
Introduction: What are Walrus Tusks?
Walrus tusks are long, ivory-colored teeth that protrude from the upper jaw of both male and female walruses. They are a defining feature of the species and can grow up to three feet in length. Walrus tusks are unique in that they continue to grow throughout the animal’s life and can weigh up to 12 pounds each.
Anatomy of a Walrus Tusk
Walrus tusks are actually elongated canine teeth that are rooted in the walrus’s skull. They are composed of dentin, a hard calcified tissue, and enamel, the hard, outer layer of teeth. Unlike most other mammals, walruses do not have enamel on the tips of their tusks, which gives them a rough, textured surface. This adaptation allows walruses to grip onto slippery surfaces like ice and haul themselves out of the water.
Tusks: A Walrus’s Multi-Purpose Tool
Walrus tusks serve a variety of purposes in the lives of the animals. They are used for defense, hunting, and mating. Walruses also use their tusks to climb out of the water and onto ice floes. They can also use their tusks to create breathing holes in the ice.
Male vs Female Tusks: What’s the Difference?
Male walruses typically have longer and thicker tusks than females. Male tusks can grow to be up to three feet in length, while female tusks typically only reach half that length. Male tusks are also used more often for fighting and display during mating rituals.
Tusks and Mating Habits of Walruses
During the mating season, male walruses use their tusks to establish dominance and win mating rights. They will compete with other males by displaying their tusks, bellowing, and clashing their tusks together. Females may also use their tusks to defend their young from predators.
The Importance of Tusks in Defense
Walruses use their tusks as a form of defense against predators such as polar bears and killer whales. They will use their tusks to fend off attacks or to create a barrier between themselves and the predator.
How Do Walruses Use Their Tusks to Hunt?
Walruses use their tusks to dig up clams and other benthic prey from the ocean floor. They will also use their tusks to break through ice to create breathing holes and to haul themselves out of the water.
The Relationship Between Tusks and Feeding Habits
Walrus tusks are adapted for feeding on benthic prey that live on the ocean floor. They are able to use their tusks to probe into the sediment and grasp onto prey with their lips and tongue.
Evolutionary History of Walrus Tusks
The evolution of walrus tusks is thought to have been driven by sexual selection and the need for defense against predators. Fossil evidence suggests that walruses have had tusks for at least 20 million years.
Conservation Efforts for Walrus Populations and Their Tusks
Walrus populations have been threatened by climate change, hunting, and habitat loss. There are efforts underway to protect walrus populations and their tusks, including regulations on hunting and restrictions on the trade of walrus ivory. Education and awareness campaigns are also being used to promote the conservation of walruses and their habitats.