Though I have seen many seals, fur-seals, sea lions, whales, and dolphins I had never seen a walrus before my visit to the L’Aquarium du Québec.

They are enormous! An adult male in the Pacific region can weigh up to 4,400 pounds.

The name is thought to originate in a German language and meant horse-whale.

One of the most prominent features of the species is its long tusks.

These tusks can reach a length of 3 feet 3 inches and weigh up to 12 pounds. At the aquarium the tusks have been capped to prevent the animals from injuring each other.

Another prominent feature is the whiskers.

These are in constant use in the wild for foraging their food.

The skin is highly wrinkled and can be up to 4 inches thick.

Walruses can live from 20 – 30 years in the wild and longer in zoos and aquariums.

Walruses feed on about 60 different sea organisms. Their only predators are polar bears and killer whales.

SONG LYRICS

Sitting in an English garden waiting for the sun
If the sun don’t come, you get a tan from standing in the english rain

I am the eggman, they are the eggmen
I am the walrus, goo-goo g’joob, g’goo goo g’joob – the Beatles

From Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll

“I like the Walrus best,” said Alice: “because you see he was a little sorry for the poor oysters.”
“He ate more than the Carpenter, though,” said Tweedledee. “You see he held his handkerchief in front, so that the Carpenter couldn’t count how many he took: contrariwise.”
“That was mean!” Alice said indignantly. “Then I like the Carpenter best—if he didn’t eat so many as the Walrus.”
“But he ate as many as he could get,” said Tweedledum.

Miles Hearn