There are two sub-species of walrus: the Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) and the Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus). The Pacific walrus is larger than their Atlantic cousins.
Walrus
Key facts
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Scientific names
Odobenus rosmarus divergens (Pacific) & Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus (Atlantic)
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Did you know?
Walrus tusks can reach a length of one metre
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Population size
Atlantic ~15,000 & Pacific ~200,000
More information
Walrus migrate with the moving ice floes, but never venture far from the coast as they feed in shallow waters. They can swim to a depth of around 100 metres to feed on molluscs and other invertebrates, but on average do not go much deeper than 20-30 metres.
Walrus are recognisable by their long tusks, which can grow to more than one metre in length. Their skin is a dark brown and is covered by a thin layer of small coarse hairs.
The walrus is a pinniped, or fin-footed mammal, and is related to seals and sea lions.
Where do walrus live?
The Pacific walrus is found around Alaska and north-east Russia and numbers around 200,000. The Atlantic walrus is found in the Canadian Arctic, in the waters of Greenland, Svalbard and the western portion of the Russian Arctic and numbers around 15,000.
What are the main threats to walrus?
Walrus need thick sea ice to support their weight and the shallow waters of the coastal zone to feed. As the warming climate in the Arctic reduces the thickness and expanse of the ice, it also reduces the walrus’ habitat.
With less sea ice, more and more walrus are forced to crowd onshore in large "haul-outs". This often results in stampedes, which kill many walrus, mostly calves.
Learn more about the impact of climate change on walrus.