In the animal kingdom, teeth come in all shapes and sizes. Some are anchored in the jaw for chewing or seizing prey, while others – known as fangs – are elongated teeth (often hollow or grooved), specially adapted for piercing flesh and injecting venom. A walrus‘s tusks, for example, are enormous canine teeth that can […]
Tag: Walrus
“Each seal is swimming for its life.” These seals must cross shark-infested waters to find a meal. Will they make it?
The BBC’s Planet Earth series has captured plenty of unprecedented animal behaviour, from a deep-sea vampire squid glowing in the dark to a hungry polar bear risking the tusks of a walrus to secure a meal. And the original 2006 series captured an incredible first-of-its-kind, slow-motion sequence of great white sharks hunting fur seals off Cape Town. Each dawn, […]
“Effects range from internal bleeding to manipulating behaviour or liquifying a host.” These are the deadliest weapons in the animal kingdom
When a peacock mantis shrimp strikes, it generates the heat of a star. The crustacean retracts a spring-loaded mouthpart known as a dactyl club and puts it on a latch, like a cowboy cocking the hammer of a gun. After pulling the trigger to release the stored elastic potential energy, the club moves like a […]
Arctic Animals Face Growing Disease Threats as Climate Warms
Karyn Rode, a seasoned research wildlife biologist at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Alaska Science Center, emphasizes the polar bear‘s role as a bellwether for broader ecological shifts. “Pathogens’ transmission pathways are changing, including in the Arctic,” Rode notes, highlighting the rapid environmental transformations underway. The region is warming at a pace four times the global […]
Orphaned Weeks-Old Walrus is Getting Round-the-Clock Care to Help Her Survive
Pacific walruses can grow up to 12 feet long and weigh up to 4,000 pounds. One substantially smaller than that, though, was just rescued in Alaska. In a series of social media posts, Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward has been chronicling the care of a tiny orphaned female Pacific walrus calf. She was found alone, […]
Walrus Death from Bird Flu Confirmed in Arctic for the First Time
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have confirmed the first known case of a walrus dying from bird flu in the Arctic. Found on Hopen Island in the Svalbard archipelago, this walrus succumbed to the virus last year, shedding light on new concerns regarding wildlife diseases in marine mammals. Source: CBS New York/YouTube Christian Lydersen, […]
Petition: Help Protect Viral Seal from Humans
Neil the Seal is a 1,300-pound southern elephant seal who has become a viral sensation in Tasmania. However, there is growing concern for his welfare. Neil’s adventures, while amusing and endearing to many, underscore the potential risks when such a large wild animal becomes too accustomed to human interaction. We must ensure Neil’s safety is […]
Expedition Cruise on Board M/S Origo, June 1-10, 2014
Polar Bear Expedition Workshop – last 2 cabins still available. We are now close to full ship.Anyone out there interested in joining, there are now just 2 cabins available. The majority of the group is flying to Longyearbyen on May 31st, there are still a few seats available on that flight as well. The land […]