What constitutes the overwhelming foundation of the walrus diet?
Answer
Bivalve mollusks
The primary sustenance for walruses comes almost exclusively from benthic invertebrates, meaning creatures living on or in the seafloor substrate. Among these bottom-dwelling creatures, bivalve mollusks, which encompass various species of clams and mussels, form the overwhelming foundation of their diet. In certain rich areas like the Bering and Chukchi Seas, these shellfish can account for over 90 percent of their annual food intake. This specialization requires them to be highly efficient at processing large volumes of this relatively low-energy food source found along the icy seafloors.
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