Interesting that the walrus is shown to be having such trouble getting back into the water. And keep in mind that this is a healthy specimen, the leader of the pack. So is this just an awkward evolutionary landing for the species? Are they destined to ultimately take to the seas full time? Or does the land hold something for them that will keep them coming back?
Time will tell, whether or not we're around to hear it.
2 comments:
It does look like an ordeal for them, especially the largest, to maneuver around on the rocks, but somehow that's where the families begin. At least I don't think they mate in the water. Still, life must be much easier for them on the ice. Let's hope they have enough of that for a long time to come because it takes a very long time for creatures to develop the ability for a permanent transfer to the seas.
Changing the subject, here's the video I mentioned. It's quite brilliant.
Evolution is a very large-scaled, long-term process, of course, so a big change like walruses and seals becoming fully aquatic would happen not only after our lifetimes, but probably after the end of our species. Just kind of a thought experiment. I've read that pinnipeds are caniforms, meaning they're close-ish relatives of dogs, wolves, bears, weasels, etc. Nature is cool.
That's a funny video. The Onion has suffered some talent loss since the Gizmodo takeover but still comes up with the occasional winner. Not sure I want to know why they had to disable comments.
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