Whenever we head out into the boat we should always have our life jackets with us, right?  Well the same is true for the Pacific Walrus.  They have adapted a feature that acts like a life jacket.  Walruses have a body part called the “pharyngeal pouch”.  This pouch is located on either side of the walrus’ esophagus and is capable of holding up to 50 L (13 Gallons) of air.  What happens when the walrus fills these pouches with air? Well, they are able to float vertically with their head sticking out of the water.

This ability to float in the water has several benefits to the pacific walrus.  First, the males use this technique when they are practicing karaoke in order to attract potential mates. Besides just propping up the males, these air pockets help give the male walrus that bell-like sound that drives the ladies wild.  Females will also use this life jacket while they are nursing their young.  Since the calves nurse upside down, the mother is able to float around effortlessly while the young feed.  Both male and female walruses can use this technique to catch some shut-eye, however, they generally don’t prefer to sleep while floating aimlessly around the ocean.  For this reason they will usually sink their tusks into a stable ice floe to provide some reassurance. Besides allowing the walruses to float the muscles for these pouches also prevent water from entering their mouths while they dive.  Of course, the pouches are not filled with air while they are diving.

How did you enjoy today’s fact? Have you seen a walrus floating in the water?