Page 45 - 2003 SVALBARD, NORWAY

Huge tusks protruded everywhere in every direction: up, down,

sideways, half hidden by other bodies, completely visible and even
pointed skyward. These were males who are in a molting state

and we were surprised to see their bumpy and very pink skins as
the new skin emerges; some looked redder than others, almost

bloody, but these were just farther along in the molt. They
seemed somewhat testy and grumpy since occasionally one would
try to switch positions and obviously annoy his neighbors who

would rear up and aim their tusks pointedly at the offender. They
grunted and groaned and farted with both audible and olfactory

consequences. Their wonderful whiskers were bristly and
prominent and when in the right angle to our peering eyes, very

impressive.