Walrus

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

in zoölogy, the Trichechus rosmarus, called also the morse, seahorse, and sea cow. The walrus is now confined to the regions within the Arctic Circle, though its extinct ancestors had a much wider geographical range. It is a large carnivorous marine mammal, ordinarily from 10 to 12 feet long, with a girth of nearly as much; it is said that it sometimes attains a length of 20 feet; muzzle abruptly truncated, with long and remarkably strong bristly moustaches; small eyes; external ear wanting, though the orifice is distinctly visible; body large and sack-like, tapering toward the tall; hind limbs short, connected by a membrane which covers the tail, fore limbs strong WALRUS and stumpy, all with five digits. The hide is of a tawny brown color, with difficulty penetrated by bullets, and has been likened to a tough, flexible coat of mail. The upper canines are developed in adults of both sexes into immense tusks, each from 15 and weighing 10 pounds and upward. In some individuals the points converge toward, and in others they diverge from each other. The most important function of these tusks is digging shell fish, the favorite food of the walrus, out of the banks and mud of shoal water. They also raise the body out of the water, by digging into ice floes, which probably gave rise to the legend of the rosmarine; and they form terrible weapons of offense, as by a quick turn of the neck the animal can strike upward, downward, or sideways with equal dexterity. Walruses are gregarious, and are found on the seashore and on ice floes; some keep guard while those of the main body sleep, and when danger threatens the sentinels awaken the others by bellowing. They are said to be monogamous, and the female brings forth at nine months one calf, usually on the ice floes. In disposition they are quiet and inoffensive, unless attacked or during the love season, or if their young are in danger; when they become desperately aggressive, and furiously attack the hunters on the ice or in boats. The number of walrus, owing to reckless slaughter by sealers and whalers, are fast decreasing, and the few remaining seek un unfrequented spots in high latitudes inaccessible to sealers. At one time there was a considerable trade in walrus hunting, but it is now at a very low ebb; the tusks alone have any commercial value at the present time; but formerly walrus hides were used for various purposes, such as machine bands, etc.