Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Carnivora
- Family
- Odobenidae
- Genus
- Odobenus
- Species
- Odobenus rosmarus
Habitat
Pacific walruses primarily inhabit the shallow, icy waters of the Arctic, including the Bering and Chukchi Seas, where they rest on sea ice or haul out on beaches. They prefer continental shelf areas with depths up to 100 meters for feeding and breeding. Their range spans from Alaska to Russia, shifting with seasonal ice movements.
Diet
Pacific walruses mainly consume benthic invertebrates such as clams, snails, and worms, which they locate and excavate from the seafloor using their sensitive whiskers and tusks. They dive to depths of 10-80 meters, often feeding in groups during daylight hours. Feeding behavior includes sucking prey out of shells with their powerful lips.
Behavior
Pacific walruses are highly social, forming large herds that haul out on ice or beaches for resting and socializing. They are generally diurnal but can be active at any time, with males displaying territorial behavior through vocalizations and tusk fights during breeding season. They migrate seasonally following sea ice and use their tusks to climb onto ice or defend against threats.
Conservation Status
The IUCN lists the Pacific walrus as Vulnerable due to threats from climate change, which is reducing sea ice habitat, and historical overhunting. Population trends are currently stable or slightly increasing with international conservation efforts.