A walrus is the largest pinniped in the Arctic, easily recognised by its huge body, almost hairless skin, long tusks, and stiff whiskers called vibrissae. Found in Arctic regions across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Laptev Sea, walruses use their tusks like tools - hauling their heavy bodies onto land or ice, fighting rivals, and even rescuing calves from danger. They feed mainly on bottom-dwelling animals such as clams, mussels, crabs, and snails, using their sensitive whiskers to “snuffle” through the seabed and their powerful suction to slurp clams straight out of their shells.
Walruses can dive up to 50 metres for food, their colour changes from dark brown to pink when warm, and their surprisingly musical courtship, as males produce clicks, whistles, and bell-like sounds underwater. Walruses are also highly social, gathering in herds of thousands, and despite their generally calm nature, they are strong enough to defend their young against predators.. even polar bears.
Quick Walrus Facts
| Scientific name | Odobenus Rosmarus |
| Length | 2.7-3.6m (9-12ft) |
| Female Weight | 400-1,200kg (880-2,650lbs) |
| Male Weight | 1,700kg (3,700lbs) |
| Population | 250,000 individuals |
| Species Conservation Status | Vulnerable |
Diet and Behaviour
Walruses primarily feed on benthic organisms found on the ocean floor, including mussels, clams, snails, crabs, and echinoderms. They forage in shallow waters with sandy or muddy bottoms, using their sensitive whiskers (vibrissae) to detect prey and then sucking the soft bodies out of shells. Occasionally, they exhibit carnivorous behavior by preying on fish and even seals. Walruses are highly social and gregarious, often hauling out in large herds of thousands. They display dominance through tusk size and body size, using tusks for fighting, climbing, and even breaking ice to rescue calves.
Breeding Cycle
Walruses have a unique breeding cycle that occurs during the harsh Arctic winter, primarily in January and February. Large males compete for access to herds of females through vocal displays, singing, and sometimes physical combat using their tusks. After mating, females delay implantation for four to five months, followed by about ten months of fetal development, resulting in a total gestation period of 15–16 months. A single calf is born and remains with its mother for up to two years, nursing and learning essential foraging skills like clam extraction. This extended maternal care ensures survival in the challenging Arctic environment.
Walrus FAQs
Where do walruses live?
Walruses live in the Arctic and subarctic seas.
They are split into two groups:
1. Atlantic Sea: Canada, Greenland, Norway
2. Pacific: Alaska, Russia
Walruses prefer shallow coastal waters with sandy or muddy sea floors, where they can easily forage for benthic prey such as clams and other invertebrates. They often haul out on sea ice or land to rest, sometimes forming very large herds numbering in the thousands, particularly in the North Pacific.
What do walruses eat?
Walruses mainly eat benthic, or bottom-dwelling, organisms. They forage in shallow waters by using their sensitive vibrissae (stiff whiskers) to search through sandy or muddy seabed's, sucking prey from the substrate. Their diet consists primarily of mussels and other clams, as well as snails, echinoderms, and crabs. Although they are mostly bottom feeders, walruses have occasionally been observed eating fish and even preying on seals.
How can i best identify a walrus?
A walrus can be identified by several distinctive physical features. It is a very large, heavy-bodied marine mammal with little body hair and wrinkled, thick skin. Both males and females have long, prominent tusks that extend downward from the upper jaw, though males’ tusks are usually longer and heavier. Walruses also have stiff, bristly whiskers called vibrissae around their snout, which can grow quite long and give their face a rough, bearded appearance. Their skin colour ranges from dark brown when cold to pale pink when warm, making them easily recognisable among Arctic marine animals.
Are walruses endangered?
Walruses are listed as Least Concern, meaning they are not considered at immediate risk of extinction at a global level.
Although walrus populations are generally stable, they do face ongoing threats, including climate change (especially the loss of sea ice), illegal poaching for ivory tusks, and disturbance from human activities. Because of these risks, walruses are carefully managed and protected in many regions.
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