Quiet Moments

A pair of walruses photographed at Kræmerpynten on the island of Kvitøya, Svalbard. The point is also the most eastern point of Norway - 80°14'30.702" N 33°30'35.934" E

Walrus Facts
- Their name, Odobenus rosmarus, means 'one that walks with teeth'.
- Their tusks, which are found on both males and females, can extend to about three feet and the angle of the tusks can often be used to determine the walrus sex.
- Walrus use their extremely sensitive whiskers, called mustacial vibrissae, to detect their favorite food - mollusks - that they then slurp right out of their shells.
- Atlantic Walruses (pictured here) can reach a weight of 2000lbs.
- When sunbathing, walrus can take on a very pink color as their blood moves closer to the skin as part of their thermoregulation.