Elephant Seal vs Walrus: A Complete Comparison

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When comparing elephant seals vs walruses, we’re examining two of the ocean’s most impressive pinnipeds. While both are massive marine mammals, they differ significantly in size, appearance, and behavior. Southern elephant seals can reach lengths of 20 feet (6.1 meters) and weigh up to 8,800 pounds (4,000 kg), while walruses typically grow to 12 feet (3.7 meters) and weigh around 3,700 pounds (1,700 kg).

These marine giants have evolved distinct features for their respective lifestyles. Elephant seals are characterized by their massive proboscis and streamlined bodies adapted for deep diving, while walruses are immediately recognizable by their long tusks and whisker-covered faces designed for bottom feeding.

A Weddell seal lying on Antarctic snow opens its mouth wide in a dramatic yawn or vocalization, displaying its pink tongue and throat. The seal's distinctive features include its round, dark gray body with lighter mottled patches, characteristic whiskered face, and large black eyes. The seal is resting on pristine white snow with rocky, snow-covered mountains visible in the background, typical of its Antarctic habitat. The close-up perspective captures the seal's expressive face and rotund body shape, demonstrating the characteristic blubbery appearance of these cold-weather adapted marine mammals.

The elephant seal demonstrates the characteristic features that make it a master of deep diving, including its streamlined body shape and distinctive proboscis. These adaptations allow it to reach depths of up to 7,835 feet (2,388 meters) during hunting dives.

A Pacific walrus rests with its distinctive ivory tusks prominently displayed. The close-up portrait shows the marine mammal's characteristic features including its massive brown-pink wrinkled skin, bristly whiskers arranged in a distinctive scale-like pattern, and long cream-colored tusks extending downward from its upper jaw. The walrus's thick, rough-textured hide exhibits a mottled pattern typical of the species. Set against a muted grey background suggesting an Arctic marine environment, this powerful pinniped's face captures the unique adaptation and specialized features that help it survive in polar waters.

The walrus showcases its iconic tusks and sensitive whiskers, essential tools for its bottom-feeding lifestyle. These specialized features help it locate and extract mollusks from the seafloor in the frigid Arctic waters.

Key Differences: Elephant Seal vs Walrus

Feature	Elephant Seal	Walrus
Maximum Size	20 ft (6.1 m)	12 ft (3.7 m)
Weight	Up to 8,800 lbs (4,000 kg)	Up to 3,700 lbs (1,700 kg)
Distinctive Features	Large proboscis (males)	Long tusks (both sexes)
Diving Depth	Up to 7,835 ft (2,388 m)	Up to 295 ft (90 m)
Diet	Fish, squid, sharks	Clams, mollusks, occasional fish
Habitat	Sub-Antarctic to Arctic waters	Arctic waters only

Habitat and Distribution

Elephant seals and walruses occupy different regions of the world’s oceans. Elephant seals are found in both hemispheres, with southern elephant seals inhabiting sub-Antarctic waters and northern elephant seals ranging from Alaska to Mexico. Walruses, however, are strictly Arctic creatures, found in the northern polar regions around Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Russia.

Hunting and Feeding Behavior

The feeding strategies of these marine mammals couldn’t be more different. Elephant seals are active predators, diving deep into the ocean to hunt fish, squid, and even small sharks. Their streamlined bodies and excellent underwater vision make them efficient hunters in the deep ocean.

Walruses, by contrast, are primarily bottom feeders. Using their sensitive whiskers (called vibrissae) to detect prey, they rely on their tusks to dig through seafloor sediments for mollusks and clams. A walrus can consume up to 6,000 clams in a single feeding session.

Diving Capabilities

When it comes to diving abilities, elephant seals are the clear champions. They can dive to extraordinary depths of 7,835 feet (2,388 meters) and stay underwater for up to 2 hours. This remarkable ability is supported by their specialized blood chemistry and collapsible lungs.

Walruses typically dive to much shallower depths, usually no more than 295 feet (90 meters), and stay submerged for about 30 minutes. Their diving behavior is directly linked to their bottom-feeding lifestyle in shallow Arctic waters.

Both species exhibit fascinating social behaviors, particularly during breeding season. Male elephant seals engage in dramatic battles for breeding rights, using their massive size and proboscis in violent confrontations. These fights can last for hours and often result in serious injuries.

Walruses are more socially oriented, often gathering in large groups called “haulouts” that can number in the thousands. While males do compete for mates, their conflicts typically involve ritualized tusk displays and vocalizations rather than the all-out battles seen in elephant seals.

Conservation Status and Threats

Both species face challenges from climate change and human activities. Elephant seals have recovered significantly from near extinction in the 19th century, though they remain vulnerable to ocean temperature changes affecting their prey distribution.

Walruses face more immediate threats from Arctic ice loss, which affects their breeding grounds and access to feeding areas. They are considered “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with climate change posing the greatest threat to their survival.

Through understanding these remarkable marine mammals and their distinct adaptations, we can better appreciate their roles in marine ecosystems and the importance of their conservation for future generations.