Quick answer
Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) are listed in our guides as Vulnerable. That IUCN-style label describes global extinction risk and can differ from national lists — habitat loss and human pressure still decide local survival.
Key takeaway
Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) are listed in our guides as Vulnerable. That IUCN-style label describes global extinction risk and can differ from national lists — habitat loss and human pressure still decide local survival.
Walrus conservation status
Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) is recorded here as Vulnerable. Global categories summarise extinction risk; regional populations can be safer or worse than the headline label.
Threats facing walruses
Habitat loss around Arctic seas, pack ice, and coastal haul-outs, hunting or persecution, climate pressure, and conflict with people are common drivers. Exact ranking of threats varies by region.
Outlook for Walrus populations
Where monitoring exists, trends track protected-area quality and enforcement. Fragmented groups need corridors and genetic exchange to avoid local extinction.
What actually helps
Support verified conservation programmes, cut demand for illegal wildlife products, and protect habitat. Tourism helps only when operators follow ethical wildlife standards.
Pacific vs Atlantic populations
Two recognised subspecies — Atlantic and Pacific — differ in size, tusk shape, and population trends. Pacific walruses number in the low hundreds of thousands; Atlantic walruses are far fewer and more fragmented across Canada, Greenland, and Arctic Europe.
Climate and conservation
Listed Vulnerable, walruses face mounting pressure from sea-ice loss, shipping disturbance, and hunting in some regions. Reduced ice forces longer swims to feeding grounds and crowded land haul-outs where stampedes can kill calves.
Sources
Walrus FAQs
Are walruses endangered?
Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) are listed in our guides as Vulnerable. That IUCN-style label describes global extinction risk and can differ from national lists — habitat loss and human pressure still decide local survival.
What is the scientific name of the walrus?
Odobenus rosmarus — used in research and conservation listings for walruses.
What do walruses eat?
Walruses eat clams, molluscs, and occasional seals or seabirds, with seasonal and regional variation in Arctic seas, pack ice, and coastal haul-outs.
Where do walruses live?
They are associated with Arctic seas, pack ice, and coastal haul-outs. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of walruses?
Listed in our guides as Vulnerable. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.