What do walruses eat?

Walruses primarily eat clams and other benthic invertebrates including mussels, sea cucumbers, and worms. They consume 80 to 110 pounds of food daily. Walruses use their sensitive whiskers to locate prey on the seafloor, then create powerful suction to extract the soft bodies from shells.

How big are walruses?

Male walruses weigh 1,760 to 3,700 pounds and reach lengths of 9 to 11.5 feet. Females are smaller at 880 to 2,750 pounds and 7.25 to 9 feet long. Pacific walruses are generally larger than Atlantic walruses. They are the third largest pinniped after two elephant seal species.

Where do walruses live?

Walruses inhabit Arctic seas in the Northern Hemisphere. Pacific walruses live in the Bering and Chukchi Seas between Alaska and Russia. Atlantic walruses occupy waters around northeastern Canada and Greenland. They require pack ice for resting and shallow waters for feeding.

Why do walruses have whiskers?

Walruses have 400 to 700 highly sensitive whiskers that detect prey on the dark ocean floor. These whiskers can sense clams buried in sediment and differentiate between objects smaller than half an inch. The whiskers allow walruses to feed efficiently in total darkness beneath Arctic ice.

How long do walruses live?

Walruses typically live 30 to 40 years in the wild. Some individuals have been documented living beyond 40 years. Females generally live longer than males. Lifespan is affected by predation, hunting pressure, ice availability, and food resources.

Are walruses endangered?

Walruses are currently classified as Vulnerable. While not immediately endangered, populations face serious threats from climate change and sea ice loss. Walruses depend on ice for resting between feeding sessions. As Arctic ice diminishes, walruses must swim longer distances and face increased crowding at haul out sites.

Walrus Facts: Tusks, Whiskers & Arctic Life

Q: How deep can walruses dive?

Walruses can dive to depths of 560 feet, though they typically feed in shallower waters of 30 to 160 feet. They can remain underwater for up to 30 minutes before surfacing to breathe. Their diving ability allows them to access clam beds on the ocean floor.

Discover the giants of the Arctic seas

Walruses are massive Arctic marine mammals with iconic tusks. Learn about walrus tusks, diving abilities, social behavior, diet, and adaptations.

Key Facts

Scientific Name

Odobenus rosmarus

Subspecies

2 (Atlantic & Pacific)

Lifespan

30 to 40 years

Weight

1,760 to 3,700 lbs (800 to 1,700 kg)

Length

7.25 to 11.5 feet (2.2 to 3.6 m)

Tusk Length

Up to 3.3 feet (1 meter)

Diet

Carnivore (mollusks, invertebrates)

Dive Depth

Up to 560 feet (170 m)

Dive Duration

Up to 30 minutes

Whisker Count

400 to 700 whiskers

Social Behavior

Highly social (large groups)

Active Period

Both day and night

About Walrus Facts: Tusks, Whiskers & Arctic Life

Walruses are massive marine mammals that inhabit the Arctic seas. These distinctive creatures are easily recognized by their prominent tusks, thick whiskers, and enormous size.

Tusks and Their Functions

Both male and female walruses grow long ivory tusks that are actually elongated upper canine teeth. These tusks can reach over 3 feet long and weigh up to 12 pounds each. Males typically have longer and thicker tusks than females. Walruses use their tusks for multiple purposes.

Whiskers and Sensory Abilities

Walruses possess 400 to 700 highly sensitive whiskers called vibrissae arranged in rows on their broad snouts. These whiskers are among the most sensitive tactile organs in the animal kingdom. Each whisker connects to a nerve rich blood sinus that detects minute vibrations and movements. Walruses use their whiskers to locate prey on the dark ocean floor where visibility is limited.

Diving and Feeding Behavior

Walruses are capable divers that can descend to depths of 560 feet, though they typically feed in shallower waters of 30 to 160 feet. They can remain underwater for up to 30 minutes before surfacing to breathe. Walruses primarily feed on benthic invertebrates, especially clams. A walrus can consume 80 to 110 pounds of food daily.

Physical Adaptations for Arctic Life

Walruses have numerous adaptations for surviving in frigid Arctic waters. Their skin is covered by blubber up to 6 inches thick that provides insulation and energy storage. Walrus skin can be up to 1.5 inches thick in some areas, offering additional protection. They can regulate blood flow to their skin to control body temperature.

Social Structure and Behavior

Walruses are highly social animals that congregate in large groups segregated by sex for most of the year. Haul out sites can contain hundreds to thousands of individuals packed tightly together. These gatherings provide warmth, protection from predators, and social interaction. Bulls establish dominance hierarchies through displays including tusk size, body posturing, and vocalizations.

Reproduction and Maternal Care

Female walruses reach sexual maturity around 5 to 6 years old while males mature at 8 to 10 years. However, males typically do not successfully breed until they are large enough to compete, usually around age 15. Total gestation lasts about 15 to 16 months. Females give birth to a single calf every 2 to 3 years.

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Historical Analysis

⚡Historical Significance

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Indigenous Arctic peoples have hunted walruses sustainably for thousands of years for food, oil, and ivory.
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Commercial hunting in the 18th and 19th centuries drastically reduced walrus populations.
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Walrus ivory was prized for carving, leading to extensive hunting before protections.
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Norse and Russian explorers documented walrus populations centuries ago.
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Modern protections have allowed some populations to partially recover.

📝Critical Reception

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Research revealed walrus whiskers detect objects smaller than half an inch in total darkness.
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Studies showed walruses consume 80 to 110 pounds of clams and invertebrates daily.
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Scientists documented tusks growing over 3 feet long and weighing 12 pounds each.
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Research proved walruses use tusks to haul onto ice, inspiring their scientific name.
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Studies showed male walrus vocalizations include bell like sounds audible above water.

🌍Cultural Impact

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Walruses feature prominently in Inuit and Yupik art, mythology, and subsistence traditions.
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The Beatles' song 'I Am the Walrus' made walruses cultural icons in popular music.
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Walruses symbolize Arctic ecosystems in climate change discussions.
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Viral videos of walrus haul outs with thousands of animals raised awareness of habitat loss.
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Zoo and aquarium walrus exhibits educate millions about Arctic marine life.

Before & After

📅Before

Before climate change accelerated Arctic ice loss, walruses rested on stable sea ice between feeding dives to ocean floor clam beds. Ice provided safe resting platforms away from predators. Walrus populations had recovered from historical overhunting under modern protections.

🚀After

After decades of ice loss, walruses increasingly crowd onto coastal beaches when ice disappears. Stampedes on packed beaches kill thousands of calves. Swimming distances between ice and food have increased, exhausting animals. Scientists predict continued ice loss will further stress walrus populations.

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Did You Know?

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Walrus tusks are actually elongated canine teeth that can grow over 3 feet long and weigh 12 pounds each

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The name Odobenus rosmarus means tooth walker, referring to how walruses use tusks to pull onto ice

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Walruses have up to 700 highly sensitive whiskers that can detect objects smaller than half an inch

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A single walrus can consume 80 to 110 pounds of clams and other invertebrates every day

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Male walruses can weigh nearly two tons, making them the third largest pinniped species

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Walruses produce bell like underwater vocalizations during mating season that can be heard above water

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Why It Still Matters Today

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Climate change melts the sea ice walruses depend on for resting between feeding dives

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Reduced ice forces walruses onto crowded beaches where stampedes kill calves

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Walrus populations indicate broader Arctic ecosystem health

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Indigenous communities depend on sustainable walrus hunting for food security

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Ocean acidification may threaten the clam populations walruses rely on

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Test Your Knowledge

How much do you know? Take this quick quiz to find out!

1. What does the walrus scientific name 'Odobenus rosmarus' mean?

2. How sensitive are walrus whiskers for finding food?

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Original Insights

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Name means tooth walker. Odobenus rosmarus describes how they use tusks to climb ice.

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Whiskers detect half inch objects. 700 ultra sensitive vibrissae find buried clams in darkness.

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They eat 100 pounds daily. Clams are vacuumed from shells by powerful suction.

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Tusks grow over 3 feet. Both males and females have ivory tusks weighing 12 pounds each.

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They sing underwater. Males produce bell like vocalizations during mating season.

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Third largest pinniped. Only two elephant seal species are larger than walruses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Walrus tusks are elongated upper canine teeth made of ivory. Both males and females grow tusks that can exceed 3 feet in length and weigh up to 12 pounds each. Males typically have longer, thicker tusks than females. The tusks grow continuously throughout the walrus's life.

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Sources & References

Walrus Whisker Sensitivity Research

Walrus Tusk Function and Social Hierarchy

NOAA Arctic Marine Mammal Program

Walrus Haul Out Site Monitoring

Climate Change Impacts on Walrus

This article is reviewed by the Pagefacts team.

Editorial Approach:

This article reveals walrus whiskers detect objects smaller than half an inch in total darkness, explains how their name means tooth walker from using tusks as ice picks, and shows how they consume 100 pounds of clams daily.