The walrus is a large marine mammal best known for its long tusks, stiff whiskers, and impressive bulk It inhabits the cold, shallow waters of the Arctic where it plays an important ecological and cultural role
Walruses are circumpolar Arctic animals found across the northern coasts of North America, Europe, and Asia They prefer shallow coastal waters, typically less than 80 meters deep, where they can easily access food on the ocean floor During different seasons, walruses haul out on sea ice, beaches, or small rocky islands to rest, mate, and care for young
There are two recognized subspecies, the Pacific walrus, mostly around Russia and Alaska, and the Atlantic walrus, found from northeastern Canada to Greenland
Walruses are among the largest pinnipeds, the group that includes seals and sea lions Adult males can weigh over 1,700 kilograms and reach lengths of up to 3.7 meters Their thick skin and dense blubber layer keep them warm in the frigid Arctic seas
Their most distinctive traits include long tusks, elongated upper canine teeth present in both males and females, growing up to about a meter long These tusks are used for dominance displays, hauling their bodies out of water, and breaking ice Sensitive whiskers, called vibrissae, are used to detect prey on the ocean floor Their flippers are modified limbs that help them swim efficiently and crawl on land or ice When warmed, their skin may appear pinkish or reddish due to increased blood flow
Walruses are predominantly benthic feeders, meaning they forage along the ocean floor Their diet consists mainly of clams, mussels, snails, and other bottom-dwelling invertebrates, which they locate using their whiskers and powerful suction Occasionally, they may also eat fish and other small marine creatures Despite earlier beliefs, tusks are not used for digging food, instead, they are dragged through the sediment as the walrus searches
Walruses are highly social animals, often gathering in large herds numbering in the hundreds or even thousands They are vocal and communicative, using sounds like bellowing, whistles, and bell-like tones, especially during the mating season Within herds, a dominance hierarchy exists, largely determined by tusk size and body mass Males compete vigorously for mates, and interactions can sometimes lead to injury
Walruses reach sexual maturity between 6 and 10 years Breeding often takes place in winter, with delayed implantation of the fertilized egg resulting in a long gestation period of 15 to 16 months Typically, females give birth to a single calf, which stays with its mother for up to two years Walruses can live up to around 40 years in the wild
For centuries, walruses were hunted for their tusks, blubber, skin, and meat Overhunting in the 18th and 19th centuries drastically reduced some populations, leading to protections that now limit commercial hunting Today, indigenous communities in Arctic regions are allowed to hunt walruses for subsistence Walruses are currently considered vulnerable due to threats from climate change and shrinking sea ice, which reduce access to feeding and resting habitats Increased shipping and industrial activity in the Arctic also disturb haul-out sites Conservation efforts focus on protecting crucial habitats and monitoring populations to ensure long-term survival
Walruses play a key role in the Arctic ecosystem as both predators of benthic organisms and as part of the cultural traditions of northern peoples Their presence indicates the health of the Arctic marine environment, making their conservation important not only for biodiversity but also for indigenous cultures and global ecological balance
