Walrus

Odobenus rosmarus

Walruses are large marine mammals with long tusks and whiskers. They live in cold Arctic waters.

Habitat: Arctic seas and ice floes.

Appearance

The Walrus is a massive marine mammal, easily identified by its long, prominent ivory tusks and thick, wrinkled, reddish-brown skin. It has a distinctive broad muzzle covered in hundreds of stiff, sensitive whiskers, and a thick layer of blubber beneath its skin.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderCarnivoraFamilyOdobenidaeGenusOdobenus

Walrus

Interesting facts

Their blubber can be up to 15 cm thick, keeping them super warm in icy waters!

They often gather in huge groups called herds, sometimes with thousands of walruses!

Walrus calves stay with their moms for up to five years, learning how to survive!

Walruses can turn pale when diving as blood flows away from their skin!

Special abilities

Walrus can use their long tusks to pull themselves onto ice floes, helping them rest out of the water.

Walrus has hundreds of sensitive whiskers that help them feel for hidden shellfish on the dark seafloor.

Walrus has a thick layer of blubber that helps them stay warm and insulated in freezing Arctic waters.

Walrus can slow its heart rate to hold its breath for over 20 minutes, allowing for long dives.

Measurements & details

Length: 220-360 cm
Weight: 800-1900 kg
Lifespan: 15-20 years
Top Speed: 35 km/h
Litter Size: 1
Gestation: 450-480 days

Diet & Feeding

Walruses mostly eat yummy shellfish and other tiny creatures they find on the ocean floor!

Primary Foods

clams
mollusks
bivalves
worms
sea cucumbers

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

hunts

Polar Bear

Ursus maritimus

Polar bears sometimes hunt young or sick walruses for food.

hunts

Orca

Orcinus orca

Orcas, or killer whales, are known predators of walruses in open waters.

eats

Soft-shell Clam

Mya arenaria

These clams are a common and favorite food dug from the seabed.

eats

Greenland Cockle

Serripes groenlandicus

Walruses efficiently forage for these bivalves using their sensitive whiskers.

Traits

Furry

Find adorable animals covered in a cozy coat of soft fur! Their fur helps them stay warm and protected in different environments.

Whiskered

Look for animals with cool whiskers, which help them feel their way around and understand their world!

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Piscivorous

Discover amazing animals that love to eat fish! They're like expert underwater hunters, always on the lookout for a tasty meal from the rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Thermoregulating

Learn about incredible animals that can keep their body temperature just right, no matter how hot or cold it gets outside! They have special ways to stay warm or cool.

Tusked

Look for animals with magnificent tusks, which are super strong and useful teeth!

Aquatic

Discover amazing creatures that call water their home, whether it's oceans, rivers, or lakes! These habitats are full of incredible life.

Migratory

Follow incredible journeys across the world! These animals travel far and wide at different times of the year, often to find better food or warmer places.