How Big Is A Walrus Compared To A Human? Walruses are significantly larger and heavier than humans, with adult males weighing up to 1,700 kg and reaching lengths of 3.6 meters, as analyzed on COMPARE.EDU.VN. Understanding the sheer size difference highlights the impressive nature of these arctic marine mammals. Explore size comparison, weight comparison, and average walrus size with us.
1. Walrus Weight Comparison: How Much Do They Weigh?
The weight of a walrus is contingent on both its gender and subspecies. Male walruses typically outweigh their female counterparts, and Pacific walruses tend to be heavier than Atlantic walruses.
- Pacific Walruses: Adult males average between 800 and 1,700 kg (1,800 and 3,700 lb). Adult females average around 800 kg (1,800 lb).
- Atlantic Walruses: Adult males are generally 10-20% lighter than Pacific walruses, averaging about 900 kg (2,000 lb). Females average around 560 kg (1,230 lb).
2. The Role of Blubber: Why Are Walruses So Fat?
Walruses have a significant amount of blubber, which plays a pivotal role in their survival in frigid environments. Their blubber layer can account for up to one-third of their total body mass, especially during winter months.
- Insulation: The blubber helps maintain their core body temperature at around 36.6°C (97.9°F), essential for survival in arctic and sub-arctic regions.
- Energy Reserve: Blubber serves as an energy reserve, crucial for sustaining them through periods of scarce food availability.
3. Walrus Size: Just How Big Is a Walrus?
Walruses are massive marine mammals, with their size varying by gender and subspecies. Pacific walruses are generally larger than Atlantic walruses, and adult males are larger than adult females.
- Pacific Walruses: Adult males can reach 2.7 to 3.6 m (9-12 ft) in length, while adult females reach 2.3 to 3.1 m (7.5-10 ft).
- Atlantic Walruses: Adult males typically reach about 2.4 m (8 ft) in length.
4. Human vs. Walrus: How Big is a Walrus Compared To A Human?
Walruses are significantly larger and heavier than humans. While there are similarities in that males are generally larger than females in both species, the scale of difference is substantial.
- Weight: The average adult male human in the US weighs around 90 kg (198 lb). An adult male Pacific walrus weighs between 800 and 1,700 kg (1,800 – 3,700 lbs). Walruses can be up to 19 times heavier than humans.
- Size: The average height of an adult male human in the US is around 175 cm (5 ft 9 in). An adult male Pacific walrus reaches 2.7 to 3.6 m (9-12 ft). A walrus can be twice as long as an average male human.
5. Record Breakers: How Big is the Biggest Walrus?
The largest walruses are typically adult males of the Pacific subspecies. While historical records suggest even larger specimens, the most reliably recorded largest living walrus is Odin.
- Historical Records: Some reports from the early 1900s indicated male walruses weighing around 2,300 kg (5,000 lb), but these measurements were estimates based on the weight of the hide.
- Odin: Odin, a captive walrus residing in a German zoo, holds the record as the largest living walrus at approximately 1,700 kg (3,700 lbs).
6. Baby Walruses: How Big is a Baby Walrus?
Even as newborns, walruses are relatively large compared to other mammals. There is no significant difference in weight between the calves of the two subspecies.
- Weight: An average newborn walrus typically weighs between 33 to 85 kg (73 to 187 lb).
- Size: The size of a baby walrus is typically between 1 to 1.4 m (3ft 3 inch to 4ft 7 in).
7. Locomotion: How Do Walruses Move?
Walruses have evolved limbs into flippers, allowing them to move both in and out of the water efficiently.
- In Water: Their hind flippers propel them forward, enabling them to reach speeds of up to 35km/h (22mph).
- On Land: They can rotate their flippers to walk on all fours on sea ice or land.
8. Strength: How Strong Are Walruses?
Walruses are perceived as very strong due to their heavy weight, large size, and prominent tusks.
- Predator Defense: They are strong enough to impale their natural predators, such as polar bears, if necessary.
- Vessel Capsizing: Walruses have been known to capsize small vessels, demonstrating their physical power.
- Bone Strength: Walrus bones are significantly stronger than those of seals, which has implications for the trade of walrus bones.
9. Delving Deeper: Related Questions About Walrus Size and Anatomy
9.1. Tusks: How Big Are Walrus Tusks?
Walrus tusks can exceed 90 cm (35.3 in) in length. Adult male tusks tend to be longer and straighter, while adult female tusks can grow up to 80 cm (31.4 in). Male tusks also tend to be heavier, with a single tusk weighing up to 4 kg.
9.2. Brain Size: How Big is a Walrus Brain?
A walrus brain weighs between 1.02 and 1.126 kg. This is slightly lighter than the average adult human brain, which weighs between 1.3 and 1.4 kg.
9.3. Anatomical Features: How Big is a Walrus Weiner?
Male walruses possess a baculum, a bone within the penis. The walrus baculum can reach approximately 55cm (22 in) in length.
9.4. Lifespan: How Old Can Walruses Live?
Walruses can live up to 40 years in the wild, showcasing their resilience and adaptation to harsh arctic environments.
10. Understanding Walrus Size: FAQs
10.1. What is the average weight of a male Pacific walrus?
The average weight of a male Pacific walrus ranges from 800 to 1,700 kg (1,800 to 3,700 lbs).
10.2. How does the size of an Atlantic walrus compare to a Pacific walrus?
Atlantic walruses are typically smaller than Pacific walruses, with males weighing around 900 kg (2,000 lbs) compared to the Pacific walrus’s 800 to 1,700 kg (1,800 to 3,700 lbs).
10.3. How much blubber does a walrus have?
A walrus’s blubber can account for up to one-third of its total body mass, particularly during the winter months.
10.4. What is the average height of a female walrus?
The average height of a female Pacific walrus is between 2.3 to 3.1 m (7.5-10 ft).
10.5. How fast can walruses swim?
Walruses can swim up to speeds of 35 km/h (22 mph) in water, utilizing their strong hind flippers for propulsion.
10.6. What factors contribute to a walrus’s strength?
Their strength is attributed to their heavy weight, large size, strong bones, and the ability to use their tusks for defense.
10.7. At what age do walruses reach their full size?
Walruses typically reach their full size and sexual maturity between 6 and 10 years old, depending on gender and subspecies.
10.8. How big are walruses at birth?
Baby walruses weigh between 33 to 85 kg (73 to 187 lb) and measure between 1 to 1.4 m (3ft 3 inch to 4ft 7 in) at birth.
10.9. Are walruses bigger than polar bears?
While adult male walruses can be comparable in weight to female polar bears, polar bears generally have a larger overall body size.
10.10. How long are walrus tusks on average?
Walrus tusks average around 90 cm (35.3 in) for males and up to 80 cm (31.4 in) for females.
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