Animal Guide

Walrus

1 destination · 1 state

Native Range: Arctic and subarctic waters of the Northern Hemisphere

Walruses are hard to mistake for anything else, especially when a large group is resting together. Their long tusks are the obvious feature, but spend a few minutes watching and you'll notice the sensitive whiskers around the muzzle working constantly. Walruses use these whiskers to search the seafloor for clams, worms, and other invertebrates, often rooting through sediment with their snouts. At an aquarium or wildlife destination, look for a walrus moving through the water with its front flippers or hauling its enormous body onto a platform. They can look surprisingly graceful underwater despite their bulky shape on land. Their thick layer of blubber helps insulate them in Arctic waters, while the tusks have several uses, including helping with movement onto ice and social interactions. Walruses are highly social, so a group may be filled with small nudges, vocalizations, and shifting bodies even when most animals appear to be resting. Their whiskers, tusks, and sheer size give visitors plenty to notice up close.

Where to see Walrus

1 destination across 1 state

1 destination

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Tacoma, WA

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