Why do walruses have tusks?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Defense, dominance, ice climbing
Defense, dominance, ice climbing ✓ — Correct! Multi-function tools! Walrus tusks (elongated canines, both sexes): (1) Hauling out—hooked into ice to climb out of water. (2) Dominance—larger tusks = higher status. (3) Defense—against polar bears. (4) Creating breathing holes in ice. (5) Male competition—fighting for mates. Can grow 3ft long! Tusk size matters socially—don't need for feeding (suction feeders). Nickname 'tooth-walkers' (odobenidae = 'those who walk with teeth'). Also used to break ice!
Tusks regulate temperature — Wrong. Tusks don't regulate temperature—blubber and blood flow do that. Tusks serve mechanical functions: ice climbing, defense, dominance displays.
Storing calcium for health — Wrong. Tusks aren't calcium storage—they're functional tools. Used for hauling onto ice, fighting, defense, and establishing dominance.
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