Zoology: Bones

This single tusk is from the partial Walrus Skull, BC-108. The tusks may serve as headrests, offensive or defensive weapons, and ice picks, hooking over ice to stabilize when sleeping, breaking breathing holes in the ice, and helping pull the animal out of water onto ice floes. The name Odobenus, which means "tooth walk," was given to the walrus family by an 18th century zoologist after hearing reports of this last behavior.
26" / 66 cm along curve