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Article: Giants of the north.(walruses)
- Article from:
- Ranger Rick
- Article date:
- November 1, 1997
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1997 National Wildlife Federation. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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FEATHER-FOOTSYou might mistake a walrus for a seal or sea lion if it weren't for its long tusks (see photo at right). Walruses are cousins of these other sea mammals. They all belong to a group of animals called pinnipeds. (Pinniped means "feather-footed.") Instead of legs and feet, pinnipeds have flippers shaped something like bird wings (see drawing at right).
You wouldn't want to tangle with a walrus--walruses are Arctic giants! The biggest bulls (males) weigh as much as 3500 pounds (1575 kg). That's as heavy as a mid-sized car. They can grow as long as 12 feet (3.6 m).
You also wouldn't want to live where they do (see map on page 11)--it's just too cold. ...