Social Behavior

Watching walruses from a safe distance will introduce you to an animal that has fascinating social behaviour. Walruses spend 2/3 of their lives in the water. But, a spectator can observe them best when they are hauled out on land or ice floes. During the summer months walrus bulls live together in bachelor groups. These groups are loud and spirited as they brawl for social status. The size of their tusks determines their rank in the male walrus hierarchy and bulls often wear large scars as trophies of their social success. January to March is mating season and the bulls and cows move in together on the same ice floe or piece of land in regions of ice-free water. These groups can reach populations of several thousand. During these months there can be vicious fights between the bulls and cows as they court each other. A bull that ends up mating with a certain cow has to watch his back for other males who are quick to steal females from right under their tusks!