Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
Walrus ivory, also known as morse, [1] comes from two modified upper canines of a walrus. The tusks grow throughout life and may, in the Pacific walrus, attain a length of one metre. [ 2 ] Walrus teeth are commercially carved and traded; the average walrus tooth has a rounded, irregular peg shape and is approximately 5 cm in length.
Many mammals, such as elephants, walrus, narwhals, whales, and hippopotami, produce tusks and teeth of ivory that can be used for carving; these are the most commonly found ornamental ivory objects in collections today. As mentioned above, ivory is very similar to bone in its chemical make-up.
Walrus ivory is solid its entire length with a center of secondary dentin instead of a pulp cavity. It is characterized in cross section by the central core that has a marbled appearance surrounded by the smooth creamy white dentin layer. They may grow up to 1.0 meter (3 ¼ feet) in length. [5]
The walrus has played a prominent role in the cultures of many indigenous Arctic peoples, who have hunted it for meat, fat, skin, tusks, and bone. During the 19th century and the early 20th century, walrus were widely hunted for their blubber, walrus ivory, and meat. The population of walruses dropped rapidly all around the Arctic region.
Ivory has been valued since ancient times in art or manufacturing for making a range of items from ivory carvings to false teeth, piano keys, fans, and dominoes. [9] Elephant ivory is the most important source, but ivory from mammoth, walrus, hippopotamus, sperm whale, orca, narwhal and warthog are used as well.
An abandoned walrus calf was found on July 30th on a beach in Utqiagvik, a city in northern Alaska, the farthest-northern town in the United States. The Weather Channel shared a video of rescuers ...
The citizen science scheme by WWF and British Antarctic Survey aims to help conserve walruses in the face of climate change.
The baby Pacific walrus was found emaciated and dehydrated in Utqiagvik, Alaska, after her herd left the area, Alaska SeaLife Center said. Watch as abandoned baby walrus gets second chance at life ...