How to draw a walrus, and learn about its characteristics.
Download Worksheet: How to Draw a Walrus
Walruses are pinnipeds, a group of marine mammals.
The pinniped classification also includes seals and sea lions. The pinnipeds are fin-footed and are semi-aquatic (living both on land and in the sea). Seals, sea lions, and walruses are carnivores (meat-eaters), and share many physical characteristics with bears, weasels, and raccoons.
Walrus tusks are elongated canine teeth, and can weigh 12 pounds on a mature male.
The tusks are surrounded by a large area of bristles called vibrissae, which look like whiskers. The vibrissae are very sensitive to touch and shape.
A walrus’s wrinkly skin is covered with a sparse layer of hair. The layer of fat under their skin–known as blubber–can be more than 5 inches thick. Blubber helps protect the animal from cold ocean waters.
Walruses eat all kinds of marine animals, from shrimp to sea cucumbers. By far, their favorite food is clams.