Walruses are distinctive marine mammals, often depicted with prominent tusks. A common misconception is whether they inhabit the icy waters of Antarctica. However, these large pinnipeds are exclusively found in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Walrus’s Arctic Habitat
Walruses are uniquely adapted to the frigid conditions of the Arctic and subarctic seas. They are found across the North Pole, inhabiting regions such as the Bering, Chukchi, and Laptev Seas, as well as coastal areas of Canada, Greenland, Norway, and Russia. These animals prefer shallow waters over continental shelves, often spending significant time on sea ice or near coastlines.
Their physical characteristics are well-suited for this environment. A thick layer of blubber provides insulation against the extreme cold, maintaining a stable body temperature. Both male and female walruses possess long tusks, which are elongated canine teeth used for hauling their weight onto ice floes, breaking breathing holes, and for defense. Their sensitive whiskers, called vibrissae, are crucial for locating food on the seafloor.
Walruses are bottom-feeders, with their diet consisting primarily of benthic invertebrates. They predominantly consume bivalve mollusks, such as clams, which they extract from the seabed using a powerful suction method. This specialized feeding strategy requires abundant and accessible prey found in shallow marine ecosystems.
Why Walruses Are Not in Antarctica
Walruses do not inhabit Antarctica due to geographical isolation and distinct ecological differences between the two polar regions. The vast expanse of tropical and temperate oceans acts as a natural barrier, preventing their migration between the Arctic and Antarctic. Walruses evolved in the Northern Hemisphere, and their dispersal is limited by these warm water masses.
Beyond geographical separation, the marine ecosystems of the Arctic and Antarctic differ significantly. The Arctic is largely an ocean surrounded by continents, featuring extensive shallow continental shelves where walruses can easily access their preferred benthic prey. In contrast, Antarctica is a continent surrounded by deep oceanic waters, and its marine benthos, while diverse, offers different prey availability and lower production rates for some invertebrate groups compared to the Arctic. The shallow-water, soft-bottom invertebrates that form the bulk of the walrus diet are not as readily available or accessible in the Antarctic’s marine environment.