Walrus

Hello there. I am a walrus, and I live in the chilly Arctic where the water is icy and the air is crisp. My home is a world of snow and sea. My body is very big and covered in wrinkly skin, which helps keep me warm. I have a very special face with hundreds of super-sensitive whiskers. They are not just for looks; they tickle the ocean floor and help me find my favorite snacks. And of course, I have two amazing long tusks that point down from my mouth. They are my most important tools. I just love living in the cold. Swimming in the icy water feels wonderful, and I spend my days exploring my frosty home with my family.

I am a very social animal, which means I love being with my friends and family. We live in a big, noisy group called a herd. Sometimes, hundreds of us will huddle together on the shore or a big piece of floating ice to rest and warm up. It can get very loud with all of our grunts and snorts. When I get hungry, I dive in shallow waters, usually less than 100 meters deep, to forage for food. It is hard to see down there, so I use my amazing whiskers. I sweep them back and forth across the sea floor, and when they feel something hard and round, I know I have found a yummy clam. I use my strong mouth to suck the clam right out of its shell. It makes a funny slurping sound, which is the best sound in the world to a hungry walrus.

My tusks are so much more than just big teeth. They are my personal multi-tool. When I need to get my heavy body out of the water and onto a slippery piece of sea ice, I use them like ice picks. I hook my tusks into the ice and pull myself up. The scientific name of the walrus, Odobenus rosmarus, means "tooth-walking sea horse." My tusks are also strong enough to break through the ice to make breathing holes, so I can pop my head up for a breath of fresh air when I am swimming underneath. They also help me protect my family. If a polar bear or an orca gets too close, I can show them my mighty tusks to keep my herd safe.

My Arctic home is very important to me, especially the sea ice. The ice is where I rest after a long swim and where I raise my babies. To help animals like me, a special law called the Marine Mammal Protection Act was created in 1972 to help keep us safe. I am also an important helper in my ecosystem. When I search for clams on the ocean floor, I stir up lots of mud and sand. This digging brings up tiny bits of food for other ocean animals to eat. By looking for my own dinner, I help feed my neighbors. Being a walrus is a big job, but I am proud to be such an important part of my Arctic home.