Walrus

The walrus is easily recognised by its sheer size and magnificent tusks. It is a keystone species in Arctic marine ecosystems. The walrus was once threatened by commercial hunting, but today the biggest danger it faces is climate change.

FEATURED

Our Planet: The story behind the walruses

Walruses are incredible.

scientific name
Odobenus rosmarus
weight
400 to 1800 kg
length
2.2 to 3.6 m
population
Atlantic likely 25,000+, Pacific ~200,000 & Laptev ~5,000
status
Vulnerable (IUCN)

About walruses

The walrus is a pinniped, or fin-footed mammal, and is related to seals and sea lions. Their skin is covered by a thin layer of small coarse hairs.

Amazing teeth

Their most remarkable features are the long tusks which are surrounded by a mat of stiff bristles. The tusks are used for keeping breathing holes in the ice open, for fighting and for helping the walruses haul themselves out of the water on to an ice floe.

Habitat and Ecology

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 100m to feed on molluscs and other invertebrates, but on average do not go much deeper than 20-30m.

There are 2 populations of walrus: the Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) and the Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus).

Walruses and people

Artists carve walrus ivory, and this practice provides cultural benefits and much-needed income.

©Wellcome Images / CC-BY

Walruses have long played an important role in the culture, economies and diets of Arctic peoples.

©Staffan Widstrand / WWF

Threats to walruses

Climate change

Walruses depend on sea ice as a platform for feeding and resting, and a warming Arctic is disrupting their normal patterns. In the past decade, earlier melting of sea ice in the summer has forced abnormally large numbers of Pacific walruses ashore on the coasts of Russia and Alaska. These “haulouts” of up to 35,000 individuals can be deadly, particularly for walrus calves that are crushed in stampedes provoked by disturbances.

Industrial impacts

As sea ice melts, walrus populations will be exposed to more industrial activity, like shipping and oil and gas exploration. In addition to direct impacts like icebreaking ships and disturbance to walruses on shore, there’s an increased risk of oil spills. A WWF study found that oil spills on ice are virtually impossible to clean up.

Unsustainable hunting

Limited numbers of walrus are hunted in the United States, Canada, Greenland, and Russia. WWF supports up-to-date research into population trends to ensure the hunt remains sustainable.

How we work

Conserving walrus

WWF has produced the first-ever report on the circumpolar conservation status of walrus.

Recommending action for walruses

The first circumpolar report on walrus conservation recommends research into the effects of industrial activities on the Arctic animals.

Reducing shipping impacts in Greenland

Increasing demand for Greenlandic resources means ship traffic is likely to grow significantly over the next few decades. WWF advises on the risks and engages communities and governments in discussions about best practices for shipping and marine spatial planning.