Walrus

Walrus

Walruses are large size, ‘Vulnerable’, marine mammals that are found in three subspecies across the Arctic regions in the North Pole.

Scientific Name Odobenusrosmarus

Classification – Odobenus

Gender Names – Male – bull; Female – cow; Baby – cub, pup

Collective Noun – Herd, pod

Length/Size – 2.25m – 3.5m (7.5ft – 11.5ft)

Weight – 400kg – 1,700kg (880lbs – 3,740lbs)

Top Speed – 35kph (22mph)

Life Expectancy – 20 – 30years; up to 40 in captivity

Mating Season  Between January and March

Gestation Period – 15 – 16 months

Special Features  Have long tusks that can grow up to 1m; have limited diving ability

Social Structure – Males and females live in separate herds or subgroups lead by the largest, most dominating and aggressive individual having the longest tusks

Geographical Distribution – Live in a scattered distribution about the North Pole in the Arctic Ocean and subarctic seas of the Northern Hemisphere

Natural Habitat – Shallow shelf regions and the nearby ice floes

World Population – Varies between subspecies

Conservation Status –Vulnerable

Diet – Shellfish, Worms, Snails

Predators – Humans, Killer Whales, Polar Bears