Why do walruses have a layer of fat around their bodies?

Answer 1

Walrus live in very cold water with ice. The blubber acts as a store of energy and also fat is a good insulator and traps heat inside the Walrus' body. This keeps them warm.

Note, many marine mammals (whales, seals etc.) also use blubber in this way.

Answer 2

Walruses, like most mammals, have fat for multiple reasons.

Lipids (fats) are stored in almost all animals as a way of saving energy that they gain from food sources, so they are available in times of need, like bears hibernating in winter.

Also many mammals in artic conditions, especially the cetaceans and pinnipeds, which are both mostly aquatic, store a thick layer of subcutaneous fat, known colloquially as 'blubber' as a form of insulation for the body from the harsh arctic conditions. It serves to regulate temperature as fat is a poor conductor of heat.

Other aquatic mammals use other methods of insulation, such as the sea otter's thick fur, however blubber is the most prevalent among swimming mammals.

The winter is harsh in the artic, both by temperature and lack of resources for the inhabitants, so walruses benifit from both primary uses of fat and therefore often have it in abundance.

Answer 3

The Pacific walrus lives so far north that the ocean water is nearly at freezing temperatures. If the walrus entered the water and did not have such a thick layer of blubber, it would freeze to death. They have to enter the water to feed, however, so they need blubber.

Answer 4

Also known as blubber, this layer helps the walrus to keep heat inside its body instead of having the heat radiate off of it.

Answer 5

They use it to protect themselves from the cold, and from injury.

Answer 6

well... since they live in cold habitats they need blubber to keep them warm ....hope i helped