Thirteen Ed Online - Hello, Young Blubbers!

		Hello, Young Blubbers! Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Walruses... But Were Afraid to Ask! The following handout will help you complete your Web lesson. Using these World Wide Web resources, answer the following questions about the walrus. During your research you may notice that different sites or sources offer conflicting information on several of the topics. Consider how you might resolve any conflicts you discover and present your ideas in class. NATURE's TOOTHWALKERS: GIANTS OF THE ARCTIC ICE http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/toothwalkers/captivity.html Marine Mammals in Nunavut http://www.umaine.edu/canam/k-12outreach/Nunavut/Nunfacts.htm Sea World -- Walrus: Physical Characteristics http://www.seaworld.org/walrus/walrus.html Walrus Habitat and Ecology: The walrus lives in the Arctic region. What is it like there? What is the average surface temperature? The average water temperature? Define what we mean by the "Arctic Circle." How big is it? How far and how often do walruses migrate? What is the walrus's main food source in the wild? What else do they eat? Who are the walrus's most common predators? Hunting is not the main threat to the wild walrus populations. What is? Walrus Biology: How do male and female walruses differ? How long is a cow's -- or female walrus's -- average pregnancy? How many calves does she typically have? How long do walruses usually live? How much can they eat, and how much can they weigh? The scientific name for the walrus is Odobenidae; what does that mean in Latin? Why are walruses called "pinnipeds?" Name two other "pinnipeds." Walrus Adaptations: How is a walrus's body well-adapted to swimming? What is "blubber" -- and why is it important to the walrus's survival in the Arctic? What are the vibrissae, and why are they an important physical adaptation for walruses? About how many vibrissae does a walrus have? How do walrus's tusks help them adapt to their environment? How do their whiskers help them? How do walruses communicate? How and why do some walruses molt? How and why do walruses change color? Why would we consider the walrus's flippers to be adaptations? Humans and the Walrus: In one brief paragraph, summarize filmmaker Adam Ravetch's experience photographing walruses for the NATURE series. Are walruses ever dangerous to people? What are some of the biggest challenges when keeping walruses in captivity? How does the crowd-pleasing "walrus wave" also serve as a "veterinary exam" for trainers? How have humans responded to the walrus's endangered species status? What can you do to help the walrus -- or other endangered animals?