Table of Contents
What time of year do walruses mate?
Most mating probably occurs from December through March, when most sexually mature males produce viable sperm. Mating takes place off the pack ice, underwater and remote from shore; breeding locations are thus largely inaccessible for observation.
How often do walruses mate?
once every two years
Pacific walruses mate between December and March. The females meet the males to mate when they return from their migration north. Females only mate once every two years or more due to their long gestation period of 15 months.
How often do walruses have babies?
With the lowest reproductive rate of all the pinnipeds, female walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) give birth just once every two or three years.
How long is a walrus pregnant?
15 – 16 monthsWalrus / Gestation period
How long do walruses mate?
The mating season for the walrus spans from February to April (Garlich-Miller 1999). During this time period, females who are ready to mate break away from the rest of the walruses (Garlich-Miller 1999). A female’s readiness to mate is determined by whether or not she is in a physical stage called estrus.
How long does it take for a baby walrus to be born?
15–16 months
Walrus gestation is 15–16 months. Kaboodle gained approximately 300 pounds during her pregnancy.
Do male walruses mate with other males?
Every mating season, the female will mate with only one male. However, the male walrus will possibly mate with a number of females (Svalbard).
What is the lifespan of a walrus?
40 years
Males are mature at 8-10 years of age, but generally cannot successfully compete against older, larger males for females until they are 15 years old. Walruses may live up to 40 years. Unlike the other Alaskan pinnipeds, walruses mate in the water during the winter months (January-March).
Are walrus good mothers?
Baby walruses are well developed when born with fur and open eyes, and they can swim within about an hour. Daughters or other female relatives, may join the new mom and can be very protective and maternal. Female walruses have been known to adopt orphans, and the walrus mother is exceptionally loving and cuddly.
What is a female walrus called?
Male walruses, or bulls, also employ their tusks aggressively to maintain territory and, during mating season, to protect their harems of females, or cows.
How many babies can a walrus?
Offspring. Female walruses give birth to their young, called calves, during their migration in the springtime. After a gestation of 15 to 16 months, the female will give birth to one calf. Very rarely, walruses will give birth to twins.
How many babies can a walrus have?
A female generally gives birth to a single calf at a time. Twins are rare, although they have been reported. Newborn calves weigh about 45 to 75 kg (99-165 lb.)
What is baby walrus called?
calf
Offspring. Female walruses give birth to their young, called calves, during their migration in the springtime. After a gestation of 15 to 16 months, the female will give birth to one calf. Very rarely, walruses will give birth to twins.
How can you tell if a walrus is male or female?
It is thickest on the neck and shoulders of adult males, where it protects the animal against jabs by the tusks of other walruses. The skin of males often has large nodules; these are absent in females.
How old do Walrus have to be to breed?
Walrus Breeding. The females will be able to start mating between the ages of 4 and 6 years of age. Mating occurs from January through April for the walrus, with February being the peak month for it. During the rut season, the males will drastically reduce the amount of food that they consume.
What are the mating rituals of the Walrus?
There isn’t much information about the overall mating rituals of the walrus. This is due to the very harsh conditions of the Artic winters. It is believed that the largest of the males will create a herd of females that are mature. They will isolate them for a period of up to 5 days, mating with each of them.
Where do walruses go in the winter?
Female Pacific walruses migrate annually in herds. In summer when the ice melts and recedes, the females head north to the Chuckchi Sea. They return south to the Bering Sea before the ice freezes in the winter.
Why do walruses have a low reproduction rate?
As a result, they have the lowest reproduction rate of all pinnipeds. Due to the long gestation period, many of the females are still pregnant when the next mating season rolls around. This slow reproduction rate is a concern for the walrus. It is one of the reasons why conservation efforts for them are so important.