The walrus It is written by Lynne Cox, noted long-distance swimmer who swam the Northwest Passage from Greenland to Alaska.
In the story, she notes the different crazy-ass animals she was warned about during her swim. Thought we'd do a line-up and see who's guilty.
Greenland Shark
To me, the cold-water shark is shocking because you associate the shark with so many warm-water spots. Also interesting is that the Greeland shark rivals only the great white in size (up to 21 feet long).
Furthermore, the Greenland shark live in the deep, about 2,000 feet below and typically feed on fish and seals. The species is also "sluggish" and can be dragged out of the water with bare hands. In captured specimens, bits of reindeer, polar bear and horse have been found in their stomachs. Also, the flesh of the Greenland shark is poisonous, but not to another Greenland shark.
Walrus
According to a wildlife filmmaker who Cox speaks with, a walrus tried to drag a diver down. There are weird-ass animals, then there's the walrus. A full-grown male walrus can reach more than two tons in weight. Walruses are typically found in and around the Bering Strait and off Alaska and Russia. The tusks (which can get to one meter in length and weight 12 pounds) are used for male dominance brouhahas, but also for digging out holes in ice.
Most importantly, the walrus has the largest baculum, or penis bone, in any mammal -- up to 24 inches. "I Am The Walrus" takes on a whole new meaning.
Bowhead Whale
The second heaviest whale (behind the Blue) in the world. It can reach 61 feet in length and 152 tons. Also one of the few whales to spend their entire lives in the Artic as most migrate for food or reproduction.
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