Walrus

Odobenus rosmarus

Mammalia · Carnivora · Odobenidae

Fig. 1. Walrus

Fig. 2. Range

Length or height	Body length about 2.7-3.6 m
Weight	About 800-1,700 kg
Food	Clams and other seafloor animals
Lifespan	About 30-40 years
Society	Large herds on ice and beaches
Habitat	polar
Range	North America, Europe, Asia
Wild or tame	Wild

Tusks (long canine teeth) help haul out onto ice. Whiskers find clams in the mud.

Observe: Watch the whiskers work, and the tusks used like ice picks.

Modern data

Status today

VUVulnerable status to verify

Conservation	Vulnerable; sea-ice loss.
Keeper's note	Walruses get shellfish in mud-filled feeders to forage with their whiskers.
Kingdom · phylum	Animalia · Chordata
Genus	Odobenus

Check the record: IUCN Red List · GBIF · ITIS

See it elsewhere in the museum

Zoo: Polar coast zone

For classes

Lessons: The Mammal Hall: Weigh the cost of warmthPreviewThe Mammal Hall: What makes a mammal?PreviewThe Great Aquarium: Is a dolphin a fish?Preview

Drawer: Zoo: Polar coast

Quiz: Polar coast quiz · 5 questions