What Are Tooth Walkers?

Size

• The walrus can grow very large. The average male Pacific Walrus is 11 feet long and 2,000 lbs. However, males can reach over 13 feet long and weigh over 3,000 lbs. when they are carrying their full amount of blubber. Females are an average of 9 feet in length and 1,750 lbs. The Atlantic Walrus is slightly smaller than its cousin, with the male an average of 10 feet and 1,650 lbs. and the female an average of 8 feet and 1,250 lbs.

Tusks

• The most notable feature of the walrus, and from which the name tooth walker is derived, is its tusks. The walrus has two elongated canine teeth that are present in both the male and female, although the males' tusks are slightly longer. The length of the tusk also tends to be longer in the Pacific Walrus than the Atlantic Walrus, but for both species, the typical length is approximately 3 feet for males and 2 feet for females.

Diet

• Walruses are primarily bottom feeders that use their sensitive whiskers to seek out prey hiding in sandy sea floors. The diet of a walrus is composed mostly of mollusks, but it will also feed on sea cumbers, crabs or whatever else that it can find on the bottom. Once prey is located, the walrus will flip it out into the open using its snout, suction or jets of water blown from its mouth. The walrus uses its lips and gums to manipulate prey as it sucks out the soft meat. The size of the walrus means that it must consume very large amounts. A walrus will eat as much as 120 lbs. of food in a single outing. The walrus does not use its tusks for hunting or feeding.

Reproduction

• The walrus gives birth to live calves that average around 4.5 feet in length and weigh on average between 100 and 150 lbs. Female calves reach their full reproductive capability when they are approximately 9 years old but do not reach full size until they are 10 years old. The male calf reaches its full size between 15 and 16 years of age, at which time they will be able physically compete with other adults for breeding rights. The walrus has an extremely long reproduction cycle of over a year. If a female is still pregnant during the next year's breeding period, it will be 2 years before she can breed again. Furthermore, the female has reduced fertility in the year following a birth. Often, a female will only be able to breed successfully every once every three years.