Daily Sketch: Walrus!

Such an ungainly creature on land, walruses can be gracefully soothing to watch and draw when they are submerged. The compliment of its orange body and icy blue waters are exquisite. Tried to capture the exaggerated perspective created when the walrus's large body fades into the depths of the dark waters. Really enjoyed sketching these walruses; there is something about this animal that is intriguing.

Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) are the largest member of the clad pinnipedia. Both males and females have characteristic tusks, but tusks of the males grow larger (up to 1 meter!). Walruses have air sacs under its throat that allow it to float upright in the water. The males typically have bumpy skin known as bosses.

Two (debatably three) subspecies occupy a circumpolar Arctic and Subarctic range. Because they are bulkier than other pinnipeds, they scavange invertabrates on the sea floor: bivalve molluscs, octopus, worms, slow fish, shrimp, crabs, and sea cucumbers. Because they need to forage on the sea floor, their habitat includes shallow continental shelf areas and generally follow the movements of the pack ice. Sandy beaches, rocky shores and ice floes are all used as haul out sites.

Although some walrus populations have since recovered from earlier decades of hunting, there is little recent information on population sizes and trends. IUCN currently classifies walruses as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.

Climate change and the reduction in the extent of the sea-ice is expected to have a negative impact on the walrus, particularly in the Pacific. There is also concern that the loss of sea-ice will open commercial sea-lanes in previously isolated parts of the walrus’ range. The walrus is extremely sensitive to disturbance, and human activity at and around haul-outs can lead to populations abandoning sites. Other threats to this species include competition with shellfish fisheries, accidental by-catch, pollution, and habitat destruction through bottom trawling, resulting in walrus prey destruction.

Following a petition (and a subsequent lawsuit) submitted by the Center for Biological Diversity, the US Fish and Wildlife Service is currently reviewing the status of the Pacific walrus to determine whether it warrants inclusion on the Endangered Species Act, the highest level of protection afforded to wildlife in the US. It is the threat of the loss of sea-ice habitat in the face of global warming that is considered the main threat to the Pacific walrus, and the principal motivation for its elevated protection.

If listed under the Endangered Species Act, the Pacific walrus can benefit from the compulsory development of a recovery plan, protection and restoration of critical habitat, scientific research and public education.