5601ib+Predator+Essay

Tough Tusks

The directors of the Hunters of the Wild Lands Museum are seeking nominations for predators to be recognized in their exhibits. There is one animal that I think truly deserves a spot here. This animal is a walrus. I believe that walruses deserve a place in the HOWL Museum. If you don’t believe me, then just read all of these amazing abilities that this predator has.

One main misconception people have about walruses is how they use their tusks. You probably think that walruses use their tusks for catching prey, but they actually use them to pull themselves out of the water. These teeth are canine teeth. They grow about three feet and stay that way forever. Now I bet you didn’t know that walruses aren’t lazy.

People may think that all those whiskers on a walrus have no purpose, but they actually help this animal a lot. These whiskers are used to find clams at the bottom of the ocean. They are called mustacial vibrissea. Mustacial vibrissea are very sensitive and to walruses are more important to use than their eyes in murky waters. Due to their lack of visibility, whiskers are needed.

Walruses have to go into the water to find their food. This means there are many diving trips. These can last between five to ten minutes. During this time on the floor of the ocean, walruses look for clams. If they aren’t very lucky, trips can last for several days. Many people mistake a walrus for being lazy, but that’s not true, especially when it comes to swimming. According to National Geographic Kids, walruses swim slower than seals, but can swim for miles without stopping.

Even though walruses may not be fierce hunters, they still are very skilled predators. A walrus may look like a big lazy animal, but they are actually very energetic. You can’t get that big without being a great predator, right? These animals should be in the HOWL Museum so that people can notice these amazing predators.

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