Walrus

The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) takes its Latin name from the words for 'bear' and 'sea', meaning the bear of the sea. Also known as the ice bear or white bear, this powerful predator is perfectly adapted to the frozen world of the Arctic. As the apex predator of the Arctic marine ecosystem, the polar bear spends most of its life on sea ice — hunting, travelling, and raising its young across the icy expanse of the Northern Hemisphere’s polar seas. 

Although skilled swimmers, polar bears depend on the sea ice far more than the open water, using it as a platform to hunt seals, their primary prey. As true marine mammals, they rely on the ocean for almost every aspect of their existence.

Diet and Behaviour 

Walruses primarily feed on benthic organisms found on the ocean floor, including mussels, clams, snails, crabs, and echinoderms. They forage in shallow waters with sandy or muddy bottoms, using their sensitive whiskers (vibrissae) to detect prey and then sucking the soft bodies out of shells. Occasionally, they exhibit carnivorous behavior by preying on fish and even seals. Walruses are highly social and gregarious, often hauling out in large herds of thousands. They display dominance through tusk size and body size, using tusks for fighting, climbing, and even breaking ice to rescue calves. 

Breeding Cycle

Walruses have a unique breeding cycle that occurs during the harsh Arctic winter, primarily in January and February. Large males compete for access to herds of females through vocal displays, singing, and sometimes physical combat using their tusks. After mating, females delay implantation for four to five months, followed by about ten months of fetal development, resulting in a total gestation period of 15–16 months. A single calf is born and remains with its mother for up to two years, nursing and learning essential foraging skills like clam extraction. This extended maternal care ensures survival in the challenging Arctic environment.