Sensory Perception: Walruses have a limited ability to see and hear underwater due to the murky and noisy environment. Their thick whiskers, however, provide an exceptional sense of touch and help them navigate and perceive their surroundings. The vibrissae are connected to nerve endings, allowing walruses to detect even slight changes in water currents and vibrations.
Hunting and Feeding: Walruses use their sensitive whiskers to locate food sources on the ocean floor. They sweep the seafloor or burrow into the sediment with their whiskers, detecting clams, mussels, and other prey. The bristles help them precisely pinpoint their prey and grasp them with their mouths.
Communication: Vibrissae are also used for communication among walruses. Through touch, they convey information about their intentions, emotions, and group dynamics. Walruses may rub their whiskers against each other as a form of greeting or nuzzle their young with their whiskers to show affection.
Navigation and Obstacle Avoidance: Walruses rely on their whiskers to navigate through ice-covered waters and avoid obstacles. By constantly sensing their surroundings, they can detect changes in the ice structure, pressure ridges, and other hazards, allowing them to move safely.
Social Behavior: The tactile properties of whiskers play a role in social interactions and dominance hierarchies within walrus groups. By rubbing their whiskers against each other or touching them with their flippers, walruses establish social bonds and assert their position within the group.
Overall, the thick whiskers of walruses serve multiple functions, enhancing their sensory perception, enabling effective hunting and feeding, facilitating communication, aiding in navigation and obstacle avoidance, and contributing to their social behavior. These specialized sensory organs are crucial adaptations that help walruses thrive in their challenging Arctic environment.