Why Walruses are the Friendliest Animals You'll Ever Meet

A walrus may look like an aggressive and mean creature, but in reality, it’s the friendliest animal you’ll ever meet. Walruses are friendly to humans, especially if they are younger ones. The thing that makes them so friendly can be attributed to their upbringing or their natural disposition or both, depending on who you ask. Either way, learning more about walruses will help you understand why they are such great friends to have around if you live close to the ocean. Read on to learn more about these gentle giants of the sea!

The answer to all your questions

YES, there is a female walrus! Her name is Nina. She was rescued as an orphaned calf in 2007 and raised at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium, where she now resides. She loves her keepers and will even hug them with her tusks (don't worry—she only does it when they ask)! Check out the video above to see how friendly Nina is...if you're looking for more fun facts about these awesome creatures, we've got them all right here.

Where Do They Live?

Walruses spend most of their time in the water, where they move using their front flippers. They live on sea ice or drifting pack ice and can dive up to 565 feet below the water's surface to feed. That said, they're true arctic animals and only inhabit the Arctic Ocean. If you see a walrus in California or any other warm climate, it's probably just on vacation! Occasionally, for breeding purposes, a male walrus will travel outside of its normal habitat—but it's far from a regular occurrence.

How Many Different Species of Walrus Are There?

Two, although some species have become extinct in recent years. The Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) lives in Alaska and Russia; its close relative, the Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus), can be found around Greenland and Canada. They’re both members of a larger family of animals called pinnipeds, which also includes seals, sea lions, and even whales. Pinnipeds are furry animals with stocky bodies and flat faces that give them a dog-like appearance—and for good reason! Walruses were once thought to be an aquatic dog species.

What Do They Eat?

Contrary to popular belief, walruses aren't big fans of seafood. They spend much of their time on land, finding and eating clams and worms. But when you live in Alaska or Russia and it's dark for half of your day, you might as well take advantage of 24/7 access to food. Many walrus congregate around fishing areas where they gorge themselves on fish. There's also a common myth that walruses have tusks because they're aggressive animals—but actually, those tusks serve another purpose altogether.

How Can I Help Protect These Cute Creatures From Extinction?

Do you love walruses? Wish there were more of them around? We’re here to help! There are many ways that you can help keep these animals safe, and we have some ideas for you! Here’s what you can do to protect walruses: *Sign a petition *Donate money *Join a group *Volunteer your time and expertise *Tell your friends about endangered animals that need protection *Spread awareness about walrus conservation throughout social media Most people have never even seen a walrus in person; therefore, we must protect these creatures as best we can. Every life is important, even if it is furry and lives in frigid waters. That's why protecting these adorable creatures should be the top priority.