Walrus is an ocean animal that has two ivory tusks. Its four feet are flattened into flippers. The flippers make the walrus a good swimmer. The walrus lives in the Arctic, North Atlantic, and North Pacific oceans.
During the winter and spring, walruses drift along on large floating fields of ice. In summer, some may rest on shore. A walrus spends much time in the water seeking clams, its favorite food. It uses its tongue to form a vacuum to suck clams into its mouth. Then it uses its tongue to suck the flesh from the shell. A walrus has bristles on its upper lip that are sensitive to touch. The bristles probably help it find food.
Scientists classify the walrus as a type of pinniped. Pinnipeds include sea lions and seals. People generally use the name seal for any pinniped. An adult male walrus grows about 12 feet (3.7 meters) long. It weighs up to 3,000 pounds (1,400 kilograms). Adult females measure about 8 feet (2.4 meters) in length. They weigh up to 2,750 pounds (1,250 kilograms).
The walrus is the only seal with tusks. The tusks—its upper canine teeth—point downward. They may grow as long as 39 inches (99 centimeters). A walrus defends itself from polar bears with its tusks. It also uses them as hooks when climbing onto ice. Walruses do not normally attack people. However, an angry, wounded walrus can injure a hunter or damage a boat with its tusks.
Walruses spend most of their time in herds. During the mating season, male walruses make unusual bell-like sounds underwater. These “songs” attract females and drive away other males. Walruses are mammals. A female walrus usually has one calf every other year. She cares for her young for about two years. Twins are rare. Baby walruses are grayish-brown. Adults are rusty-brown. Some walruses live as long as 40 years. 
Some Inuit hunt walruses, mainly for meat. Traditionally, the Inuit used the walrus hides to make shelters or boats. They burned the oil from walrus blubber for heat and light.
