# Walrus (*Odobenus rosmarus*)

> Walruses are massive pinnipeds of the Arctic, with males weighing up to 1,700 kg (3,750 lb) and sporting elongated canine tusks used for hauling out on ice, fighting, and sensing the seafloor. They feed mainly on clams and molluscs on shallow seabeds and gather in huge haul-outs on ice or land.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Vulnerable
- **Range:** Arctic seas and pack ice of the North Atlantic and North Pacific, including Canada, Greenland, Norway, and Russia's Chukchi and Bering seas.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/walrus/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Carnivora
- **Family:** Odobenidae
- **Genus:** Odobenus

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Odobenus rosmarus |
| Diet | Carnivore — clams, molluscs, and occasional seals or seabirds |
| Habitat | Arctic seas, pack ice, and coastal haul-outs |
| Lifespan | 30–40 years in the wild |
| Weight | Males 900–1,700 kg; females 400–1,250 kg |
| Top speed | Up to 35 km/h (22 mph) in water |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable (IUCN) |

## Tusks and feeding

Walrus tusks are elongated upper canines that can exceed one metre in large males. They are used to pull the body onto ice, establish dominance, and help the walrus 'feel' the seabed while foraging. A walrus may consume thousands of clams in a day, using powerful lips to suck meat from shells.

## Social haul-outs

Walruses rest in dense groups on sea ice or rocky beaches, vocalising with bell-like calls and whistles. Pacific walruses depend heavily on floating ice over shallow feeding grounds; when ice retreats beyond reach of feeding areas, animals haul out on land in enormous, sometimes dangerous crowds.

## Pacific vs Atlantic populations

Two recognised subspecies — Atlantic and Pacific — differ in size, tusk shape, and population trends. Pacific walruses number in the low hundreds of thousands; Atlantic walruses are far fewer and more fragmented across Canada, Greenland, and Arctic Europe.

## Climate and conservation

Listed Vulnerable, walruses face mounting pressure from sea-ice loss, shipping disturbance, and hunting in some regions. Reduced ice forces longer swims to feeding grounds and crowded land haul-outs where stampedes can kill calves.

## Frequently asked questions

### How long are walrus tusks?

Tusks typically measure 50–100 cm in large males, with record specimens slightly longer. Females also have tusks, but they are smaller.

### What do walruses eat?

Mainly bivalve molluscs such as clams, which they locate on the seafloor using their sensitive whiskers and tusks. They also eat worms, snails, and occasionally seals or seabirds.

### Are walruses endangered?

The IUCN lists walruses as Vulnerable. Pacific populations are large but declining in some areas; Atlantic walruses face greater pressure from climate change and limited habitat.

### Do walruses attack humans?

Walruses are generally wary but powerful and can be aggressive if cornered or if a haul-out is disturbed. Arctic travellers keep a safe distance from groups on ice or shore.

### Why do walruses need sea ice?

Ice provides resting platforms near shallow feeding grounds. Without it, walruses must swim farther and may crowd onto land, increasing energy costs and stampede risk.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Odobenus rosmarus.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Odobenus%20rosmarus&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Odobenus rosmarus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Odobenus_rosmarus/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/walrus/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.