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Odobenidae - walruses

There is only one species in this family, the walrus. There are two subspecies of walruses. The Atlantic walrus is found in the coastal areas of northeastern Canada and Greenland. The Pacific walrus is found in the Bering and Chukchi seas.

The walrus is a large animal. It is 8-12 feet in length and weighs 900-4,000 pounds. Males are larger than females, and the Pacific walrus is larger than the Atlantic walrus. The walrus is reddish-brown in color, but can be a grayish-white after it has been in the water for long periods of time.

Both the male and the female have long tusks. The tusks are really very long canine teeth! The male's tusks are larger than the female's tusks. He uses his tusks in aggressive displays with other male walruses and also uses them as a weapon when fighting other males. The walrus is a carnivore and eats clams, mussels, crabs, octopuses, worms, sea cucumbers, and other prey it finds on the ocean floor. It has poor eyesight under the water and uses the hundreds of whiskers on its face to locate prey. It occasionally eats larger prey, like seals.

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

New Hampshire Species

North/Central American Species

None

Walrus - Odobenus rosmarus

Other Species Around the World

Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North America South America NH Species
Arctic Ocean Atlantic Ocean Indian Ocean Mediterranean/Black Sea Pacific Ocean

Walrus - Odobenus rosmarus

Additional Information

Key: Profile Photos Video Audio

Walrus - Odobenus rosmarus
Both male and female walruses have tusks, but the male's tusks are longer.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Walrus - Odobenus rosmarus
The walrus can live up to 40 years in the wild.
Source: National Geographic Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Walrus - Odobenus rosmarus
The walrus is found in areas with ice floes.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Walrus - Odobenus rosmarus
The walrus spends most of its life in the sea.
Source: Enchanted Learning Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School

Walrus - Odobenus rosmarus
Walruses are among the most vocal of the pinnipeds.
Source: Sea World Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Walrus - Odobenus rosmarus
Walruses calves weigh 100 to 150 pounds at birth.
Source: US Fish and Wildlife Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Odobenidae - walruses

New Hampshire Species

North/Central American Species

Other Species Around the World

Additional Information

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