The walrus is an immense Arctic marine mammal, instantly recognizable by its prominent ivory tusks and thick, wrinkled hide. Weighing up to 4,000 pounds, this pinniped is one of the most gregarious creatures in the northern hemisphere. Walruses are rarely seen alone, instead gathering in massive congregations that are a defining feature of their life cycle. The terminology used to describe a group of walruses reflects their unique behaviors and the context in which they are observed.
Collective Names for a Group of Walruses
The most commonly accepted collective noun for a gathering of walruses is a herd. This term is frequently used in scientific and conservation literature, especially when referring to the enormous groups that assemble on land or ice.
Other names describe the animals based on their activity or location. A group swimming in the ocean is often called a pod, similar to other marine mammals. When walruses are packed tightly on a beach or ice floe, they form a huddle. This name highlights their need for extensive physical contact to conserve body heat in the cold Arctic environment. Less common terms include a colony or a throng, which emphasize the sheer number of animals present.
The Importance of Haul-Out Locations
The physical location where these groups congregate is known as a haul-out, a resting place on either land or sea ice. Walruses must temporarily leave the water to rest, molt their skin, nurse their young, and avoid predators.
Haul-outs are characterized by an extreme density of individuals, sometimes numbering in the tens of thousands. The necessity of resting out of the water creates a massive, tightly packed aggregation of bodies. Recently, the loss of summer sea ice has forced Pacific walruses to swim long distances to terrestrial haul-outs, leading to overcrowding. This density can result in mass stampedes when the animals are easily startled, often crushing young calves.
Social Hierarchy and Group Composition
Within these large aggregations, the structure and function of the group are defined by complex social behaviors and segregation. Outside of the winter breeding season, males and females often gather separately, with females forming groups with their calves.
The walrus’s impressive tusks, which are elongated canine teeth present in both sexes, play a major role in establishing a dominance hierarchy. Males use their tusks in elaborate visual displays and aggressive contests during the breeding season to establish rank. Individuals with longer, unbroken tusks and larger body sizes assume dominant positions within the group.
This hierarchy determines an individual’s placement within the crowded haul-out. Dominant walruses gain access to the protected central areas of the group, while subordinate individuals are relegated to the periphery. The sheer presence of the group offers protection, as the immense size of a large herd helps deter predators. Extensive body contact provides warmth and serves a social function, as walruses are positively thigmotactic, meaning they seek physical contact with one another.