FaunaHub

Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)

Marine mammalPinnipedArctic

Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) hauled out on ice in Svalbard, showing its tusks.

Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus), Svalbard.

Image: Godot13, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Overview

The walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) is a massive, instantly recognisable marine mammal of the Arctic, famous for its long ivory tusks, bristly whiskers, and great bulk. It is a pinniped — related to seals and sea lions — and the only living species in its family. Both males and females grow tusks, which are enlarged canine teeth.

Walruses gather in large herds on ice and coastlines, dive to the seabed to feed, and are closely tied to the cold, shallow seas and sea ice of the far north.

Conservation note: walruses depend on sea ice and productive shallow seas, which makes them sensitive to a changing Arctic; status and subspecies differ. Verify current status at the IUCN Red List and NOAA.

Habitat & Range

Walruses live in the Arctic and subarctic, around the coasts and continental shelves of the Arctic Ocean and adjoining seas. They favour shallow waters where they can reach the seabed to feed, and they use sea ice and shorelines to rest, give birth, and gather in herds.

Diet

Walruses feed mainly on bottom-living invertebrates, especially clams and other molluscs, along with worms and other seabed animals. They root along the bottom with their sensitive whiskers (vibrissae) and are thought to use strong suction to extract soft prey from shells.

Behavior

Walruses are highly social and famously haul out in dense herds, sometimes numbering thousands, packed together on ice or beaches. The tusks are used in social display and dominance, to help haul the heavy body onto ice, and to maintain breathing holes. A thick layer of blubber insulates them against the cold, and they can dive repeatedly to forage.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Walruses are culturally and nutritionally important to many Arctic Indigenous peoples, who have hunted them sustainably for generations. The main modern concerns are the loss of sea ice they rely on, disturbance at crowded haul-outs, and other pressures of a warming Arctic. For current status, consult authoritative sources such as the IUCN Red List.

More photos of the walrus

A walrus resting, with long tusks and whiskered muzzle.

Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus).

Image: AWeith, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently Asked Questions — Walrus

What do walruses use their tusks for?
Both male and female walruses have tusks (long canine teeth), used for several purposes: displaying dominance and fighting for status, helping haul the heavy body up onto ice (which inspired the old name "tooth-walking sea-horse"), and keeping breathing holes open in ice. They are not the main tool for feeding.
What do walruses eat?
Mostly seabed invertebrates — especially clams and other molluscs, plus worms and similar animals. Walruses search the bottom with their sensitive whiskers and are believed to use powerful suction to pull soft parts from shells.
Why do walruses gather in such big groups?
Walruses are very social and haul out together in large herds — on sea ice or, increasingly, on beaches — to rest and stay warm in numbers. Dense haul-outs can be vulnerable to disturbance, which can trigger dangerous stampedes, so they are sensitive to interference.
Are walruses related to seals?
Yes. The walrus is a pinniped, the same broad group as true seals and sea lions, but it is the only living member of its own family. It shares the flippered, blubber-insulated, marine lifestyle of other pinnipeds.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.