1. Birth & Early Life (Pups):
* Birth: Walruses are born on land, usually on ice floes or beaches. They are born covered in a thick layer of fur.
* Nursing: Pups are nursed by their mothers for about two years, relying on their mother's milk for nourishment.
* Learning: During this time, they learn essential survival skills like swimming, diving, finding food, and social behavior from their mothers and the herd.
2. Juvenile Stage (Yearlings to Young Adults):
* Growing Up: As young walruses grow, they gradually shed their fur, replacing it with a thicker layer of blubber.
* Independence: Around two years old, pups start to forage for food on their own but often stay close to their mothers for protection and guidance.
* Socialization: Walrus youngsters begin to establish social bonds with other young walruses, learning about herd dynamics and mating behavior.
3. Adulthood:
* Physical Maturity: Adult walruses reach sexual maturity around 4-5 years old. They continue to grow in size and weight, with males becoming significantly larger than females.
* Mating: The breeding season takes place on land or ice, with males competing for females.
* Diet & Habitat: Adult walruses spend most of their time in the water, using their tusks to pry shellfish from the seabed and relying on their blubber for warmth in cold waters. They typically inhabit Arctic regions.
* Social Structure: Walruses live in herds, which can range in size from a few individuals to hundreds of animals. These herds are often made up of related females and their young, with a few dominant males.
4. Old Age:
* Life Expectancy: Walruses can live up to 40 years in the wild.
* Changes: As they age, walruses may develop scars and show signs of wear and tear, especially on their tusks. They may also become less active and more cautious.
Key Changes Throughout Life:
* Size & Weight: Walruses increase significantly in size and weight from birth to adulthood.
* Fur & Blubber: They shed their fur as they grow, relying on a thicker layer of blubber for insulation and buoyancy.
* Tusks: Tusk size and shape change with age, becoming larger and more prominent in males.
* Social Behavior: Their social interactions evolve from dependence on mothers to forming bonds within herds and competing for mates.
* Diet & Habitat: Their diet becomes more diverse and they spend more time in the water as they mature.
Understanding these changes throughout their lives helps us appreciate the resilience and adaptability of these fascinating marine mammals.