Odobenidae - Walruses

There is only one species in this family, the walrus (Odobenus rosmarus). There are two subspecies of walruses. The Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) 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, 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 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.

Did You Know?

The walrus is 8-12 feet in length and weighs 900-4,000 pounds.
The walrus is 8-12 feet in length and weighs 900-4,000 pounds.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

No animals found.

Other Species Around the World

No animals found.

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