Walrus

Misha the Pacific walrus is one of the residents of the Primorsky Aquarium’s Dolphinarium.

He is a real athlete despite weighing over a tonne. His daily regimen includes crunches, push-ups, and cold showers. He enjoys dancing and singing and he convincingly mimics other animals. His signature move is blowing heartfelt air kisses to the delighted crowd, securing his status as the undeniable favorite.

Misha has called the Primorsky Aquarium home for 14 years. An orphaned calf brought from Chukotka, he was literally bottle-fed by his caretakers. As Misha grew up, his diet transitioned to fish and seafood. Today, his daily intake—roughly 30 kg of fish—includes smelt, herring, pollock, chum and pink salmon, greenling, and scallops.

Misha is incredibly talented, picks up new tricks with ease, and thrives on applause. Like any true artist, he can be a bit temperamental at times.

Misha is currently coached by Vladimir Maslov, with Mikhail Porshin and Ekaterina Sokur serving as his assistants.

Walrus facts:

• Pacific walrus is the largest of the pinnipeds inhabiting the Russian Far East. Males grow up to 4 m of length and weigh up to 2 tonnes, equivalent to a medium sized car.
• Its Latin name is Odobenus rosmarus, which translates as ‘tooth-walking sea-horse‘.
• Walrus’s skin usually accounts to almost 20% of its body weight. A 15-cm-thick layer of blubber under the skin provides vital insulation in ice-cold water.
• The stiff whiskers, or vibrissae, above its upper lip is a sensitive organ helping it to detect prey on the dark seabed.
• Despite a cumbersome appearance, walruses are surprisingly flexible and can use their hind flippers to scratch their own necks.
• Their flippers resemble a hand with five finger-like digits and small claws.
• While their ear openings are small—just 2 mm in diameter—many researchers note that their hearing is comparable to a human's. Walruses are also highly intelligent, readily recognizing their names and responding to commands.