Walruses have a large amount of subcutaneous fat to protect them from the cold of the icy water in which they live. This fat acts as an effective thermal insulation, allowing them to maintain their body temperature stable.
Walruses live in icy waters, where temperatures can easily drop below 0 °C. To avoid freezing to death, they rely on a thick layer of fat called blubber, which can reach up to 15 centimeters in thickness. Imagine a huge natural insulating jacket that allows them to retain their body heat. Thanks to this subcutaneous fat, walruses maintain a stable internal temperature, even during their long swims in ultra-cold polar waters. Without it, they would use far too much energy to warm up and therefore would not survive long in these extreme conditions.
Walruses can sometimes go several days, even weeks, without eating (for example, during migration or reproduction). Their thick layer of subcutaneous fat acts as a true natural energy reserve. During these periods without food, the body draws directly from this fat stored under the skin, transforms it into usable energy, and allows walruses to manage easily. This adaptation enables them to remain calm even if they don't find food for a while. It's somewhat like their built-in pantry, comfortably integrated into their bodies to survive these challenging periods.
Thanks to their thick layer of blubber, walruses float easily without expending much energy. This blubber acts as a kind of natural buoyancy aid, helping these large animals stay at the surface. Less effort to stay afloat means more energy for hunting and moving over long distances. For such a massive animal, that's quite an advantage! Moreover, when they sleep or rest in the water, their subcutaneous fat allows them to float peacefully without too much fatigue.
For the walrus, the thick layer of blubber under its skin acts as a true shock-absorbing shield. When they are attacked by predators, especially the polar bear and particularly the orca, this thickness helps prevent serious injuries. The blubber absorbs bites or violent blows and often prevents teeth or claws from reaching vital internal organs. It's like wearing a thick foam mattress: attacks lose their effectiveness, giving the walrus a better chance of survival. Furthermore, this layer softens the impacts during fights between males during the breeding season, reducing serious injuries.
Walruses regularly go through periods such as breeding or molting, during which they eat much less. Their bodies must then draw on reserves, and this is precisely where their generous layer of subcutaneous fat comes into play. It acts as a true pantry, packed with nutrients stored during times of food abundance. When it becomes more difficult for them to feed, they quietly use these accumulated reserves to meet their nutritional needs. This is convenient, allowing them to comfortably survive without any food for several weeks, or even a few months in some particular cases.
During the breeding season, male walruses use their impressive layer of blubber to impress females by demonstrating their robustness and overall health.
Despite their massive appearance, walruses are surprisingly agile underwater, aided by their subcutaneous fat, which significantly enhances their buoyancy.
The blubber of walruses serves as a true energy reservoir: it allows these animals to go several weeks without food, particularly during molting and breeding periods.
Historically, the indigenous peoples of the Arctic have used walrus fat as fuel for oil lamps, a food source, and as an insulating barrier against the cold.
Sure! Here’s the translation: "Not only does this layer of fat provide effective thermal insulation, but it also serves as an energy reserve during periods when food is scarce, particularly during the breeding season or molting, when walruses may fast for several days."
Although the layer of blubber provides substantial protection, walruses can still be attacked by polar bears and orcas, which can breach this thick layer due to their great physical strength and effective hunting strategies.
Being less dense than water, subcutaneous fat allows walruses to stay more easily at the surface and conserve their energy while swimming long distances. This natural buoyancy facilitates their movements in the cold waters of the Arctic.
In addition to their thick layer of blubber, walruses have very thick skin, which helps reduce heat loss. Their short and compact limbs also minimize the body surface exposed to the cold, and their circulatory system develops a mechanism known as 'counter-current' that helps limit heat loss in the extremities.
The subcutaneous layer of fat in walruses can reach about 15 cm, and even more in some particularly large adult individuals. This impressive thickness is essential for surviving the extremely cold temperatures of the polar environment.
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