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WALRUS by Kathy Darling

WALRUS

On Location

by Kathy Darling & photographed by Tara Darling

Pub Date: Aug. 16th, 1991
ISBN: 0-688-09032-X

Outstanding full-color photos and a delightfully informative text document bull walruses in their summer habitat off the coast of Siberia. Once abundant, these giant sea mammals were hunted for their meat, oil, and ivory tusks until the population became seriously endangered. Now protected, the walruses inhabit seven small islands that have become the Walrus Island Sanctuary. Survival is not easy in the harsh Arctic environment; the 2,000- pound giants require a daily diet of 800 giant clams, 10,000 small clams or 100 pounds of mixed worms. They are so well insulated that they overheat at temperatures of 0 degrees Fahrenheit—some of the photos show overheated pink and rusty-red walruses waving their flippers to cool down. Intriguing science reporting with unusual appeal. Migration chart; brief walrus facts; index. (Nonfiction. 8-14)