The Pacific walrus is a large tusked marine mammal that migrates through the Bering Strait into the Chukchi Sea each summer. Males commonly weigh 800 to 1,700 kilograms, and the species depends on sea ice for resting and giving birth.[1]
| Male weight | 800–1,700 kg, some over 2,000 kg |
|---|---|
| Female weight | About 800 kg |
| Length | 2.2–3.5 m |
| Tusks | Up to 1 m |
| Diet | About 97% benthic invertebrates |
Size
Most adult Pacific males weigh 800 to 1,700 kilograms, females average 800 kilograms, and typical length is 2.2 to 3.5 metres. The heaviest verified male weighed 1,883 kilograms. Tusks reach 1 metre and up to 5.4 kilograms.[1]
Feeding and migration
Benthic invertebrates make up about 97 percent of the diet, with clams preferred; walruses suck the meat out by creating a vacuum with their lips and tongue. In late spring and summer several hundred thousand migrate through the Bering Strait into the Chukchi Sea, and in late summer and fall tens of thousands gather on rocky beaches.[1]
Population and harvest
Commercial harvesting cut the population to 50,000–100,000 in the 1950s and 1960s. It was roughly 200,000 in 1990, and a 2006 estimate was about 129,000. Commercial harvest is banned, but Chukchi, Yupik and Inuit people may kill small numbers; an estimated 4,000 to 7,000 are harvested annually in Alaska and Russia.[1]
Sea ice
Walruses rely on pack ice for giving birth and gathering. Thinner Bering Sea ice has reduced resting habitat near feeding grounds, and reduced coastal ice has been linked to deadly stampedes on Chukchi Sea shorelines.[1]
FAQs
What do walruses eat? Mostly clams and other seafloor invertebrates.
Why does sea ice matter? Walruses use it for resting and giving birth.
Can walruses be hunted? Commercial harvest is banned; Alaska Native subsistence hunting is allowed.
Sources
Key facts
- Males up to 1,700 kg
- Population ~129,000 in 2006
- Depend on sea ice
Quick checkWhat do they eat?Show answer
Clams and other invertebrates.
Sources
- Wikipedia. Walrus. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-12)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 12, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue