Peapix

  • Bing Gallery
  • Extension
Peapix
Bing Gallery
Extension
  • Australia
    All
    Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil

Bing Gallery

Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil
  1. Home
  2. Bing Gallery
  3. Australia
  4. 2020
  5. January 19
  6. Walruses near Kvitøya in the Svalbard archipelago, Norway
arrow_back_ios arrow_forward_ios Walruses near Kvitøya in the Svalbard archipelago, Norway

January 19, 2020

Walruses near Kvitøya in the Svalbard archipelago, Norway

© Ole Jorgen Liodden/Minden Picture

I am the walrus

It takes a special class of ship to push through the sea ice to get to these walruses. This herd of gentle giants is bobbing in the waters of the Svalbard archipelago, roughly midway between continental Norway and the North Pole. Walruses spend more than half their day in the water, masterfully foraging for clams and other marine organisms. The rest of the time, they hang out on ice floes, the males and females huddled separately, taking a break before diving in for more food. Walruses launch from the ice to eat, making the floating blocks an important part of their survival. With the effects of climate change increasing, arctic ice is melting, posing an existential threat to the ancient pinnipeds.

Although walruses are agile swimmers, they move slowly on land, using their flippers and long tusks to lumber about. Walruses also use their tusks to fight and to poke up through the ice. The animals are big, growing up to 3.6 metres, with tusks that can be as long as one metre. That may seem intimidating, but actually tend to be friendly and kind. You are unlikely to spot one outside of its herd, which can number in the hundreds.

water outdoor swimming animal beach

Related Images

Porto Flavia, Sulcis-Iglesiente, Sardinia, ItalyPorto Flavia, Sulcis-Iglesiente, Sardinia, Italy
Atlantic spotted dolphins near Santa Maria Island, Azores, PortugalAtlantic spotted dolphins near Santa Maria Island, Azores, Portugal
Manatee in Crystal River, Florida, United StatesManatee in Crystal River, Florida, United States
Black heron canopy hunting, Chobe National Park, BotswanaBlack heron canopy hunting, Chobe National Park, Botswana
European river otter, Lelystad, NetherlandsEuropean river otter, Lelystad, Netherlands
Humpback whale mother and calf, TongaHumpback whale mother and calf, Tonga
A green sea turtle swims in the Pacific Ocean near the French overseas territory of New CaledoniaA green sea turtle swims in the Pacific Ocean near the French overseas territory of New Caledonia
Arraial do Cabo in the state of Rio de Janeiro, BrazilArraial do Cabo in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Today on Bing

Neptune's Grotto, Sardinia, Italy

Neptune's Grotto, Sardinia, Italy

Jan 19, 2025
Frozen waterfalls in Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

Frozen waterfalls in Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

Jan 19, 2024
Park City, Utah, USA

Park City, Utah, USA

Jan 19, 2023
Saint Elias Mountains and Kaskawulsh Glacier, Kluane National Park and Reserve, Yukon, Canada

Saint Elias Mountains and Kaskawulsh Glacier, Kluane National Park and Reserve, Yukon, Canada

Jan 19, 2022
Gentoo penguins near Danco Island, Antarctica

Gentoo penguins near Danco Island, Antarctica

Jan 19, 2021
Emperor penguins in the Ross Sea, Antarctica

Emperor penguins in the Ross Sea, Antarctica

Jan 19, 2019

Related Tags

swimming water outdoor marine mammal animal aquarium ocean fish nature pool lake reef dolphin shark underwater whale sea lion harbor seal mountain fin
Share photo
Share
Pin
Tweet
Line
  • © 2025 Peapix.com
  • API
  • App
  • Privacy
The images are provided for wallpaper use only.