Quick answer
Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) typically live around 30–40 years in the wild. Wild averages fall when predation, disease, or habitat loss rise; managed populations can live longer with stable food and veterinary care.
Key takeaway
Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) typically live around 30–40 years in the wild. Wild averages fall when predation, disease, or habitat loss rise; managed populations can live longer with stable food and veterinary care.
Walrus lifespan in the wild
Field and museum records place most walruses near 30–40 years in the wild. That figure blends ages at death across regions, so treat it as a planning range. Body size (Males 900–1,700 kg; females 400–1,250 kg) and risk lifestyle both shape the average.
What shortens walrus lives
Predation, infectious disease, injury, food shortages, and habitat fragmentation cut survival. Roadkill and human conflict matter wherever walruses share landscapes with people.
What helps walruses live longer
Connected habitat, low chronic stress, and reliable food support longevity. For captive or domestic relatives, species-correct diet and veterinary screening matter more than generic “pet” advice.
Walrus life stages
Juveniles usually face higher mortality than prime adults. Older animals may move less, show dental wear, or lose body condition — useful signs when ageing walruses in the field.
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
How long do walruses live?
Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) typically live around 30–40 years in the wild. Wild averages fall when predation, disease, or habitat loss rise; managed populations can live longer with stable food and veterinary care.
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.