Overview
Large pinniped marine mammal with distinctive tusks and whiskers. Found in Arctic seas and important to indigenous Arctic cultures.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Carnivora
- Family
- Odobenidae
- Genus
- Odobenus
- Species
- rosmarus
Habitat
Walruses primarily inhabit the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, favoring pack ice, coastal beaches, and shallow waters for resting and feeding. They are often found on floating ice floes in the Bering, Chukchi, and East Siberian seas, preferring areas with access to both open water and haul-out sites. Their range extends from Alaska to Russia and parts of Canada, where they adapt to cold marine environments.
Diet
Walruses mainly feed on benthic invertebrates such as clams, mussels, and snails, which they extract from the seafloor using their sensitive whiskers and powerful suction. They also consume fish, crabs, and occasionally seals, with feeding dives typically lasting 5-10 minutes to depths of 50-80 meters. Feeding activity peaks during the day but can occur at any time, especially in summer when food is abundant.
Behavior
Walruses are highly social animals, forming large herds on ice floes or beaches where they rest, socialize, and nurse young. They exhibit territorial behavior among males during the breeding season, using vocalizations and tusks to establish dominance. Active mainly during the day, they spend much time hauled out to conserve energy and avoid predators, but can be playful and curious in water.
Conservation Status
The IUCN classifies the walrus as Vulnerable, with populations declining due to climate change, habitat loss from melting ice, and historical overhunting. Major threats include oil spills, shipping disturbances, and subsistence hunting, though some subpopulations are stable with conservation efforts.