Walrus baculum, 22 inches long

The “B” section of the Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals launches with an article by Edward Miller on the baculum. The baculum is a bone located in the penis of several species. For marine mammals this includes polar bears, sea otters, seals, sea lions and walruses.

Bacula (plural of baculum) come in all shapes and sizes with great differences between species and even within species. It’s not clear if marine mammals engage in debates about baculum size or wish they could purchase monster trucks to make up for small ones. But if so, male walruses are feeling pretty confident, holding the baculum record. According to the encyclopedia, “In pinnipeds, and indeed among all mammals, the walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) has the largest baculum both absolutely (to 62.4cm [24.5 inches] in length and 1,040 g [2.3 pounds] in mass) and relatively (18% of body length).” Wow, a two pound penis bone, no truck necessary.

And having a baculum means no need for viagra! Whether a male is in the mood or not, the baculum will see him through. This must help lower the pressure during mating seasion. If a female is ready, a male can rise to the occassion with or without a full erection. Although without a full erection mating will be all about bringing forth the next generation because it most likely won’t be as satisfactory to the female.

And how do baculum-less humans play into all of this? Well you can order seal genitals for dinner at Guolizhuang Penis Restaurant in Beijing. Disgusting. And some baculum are ground up or sold whole to be used as aphrodisiacs according to the Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals. To meet the market demands for Asia’s bacula / seal penis needs, some seals are killed legally and illegally. Seriously people, it’s time to join the 21st Century and switch to viagra.