Elephant Seal vs. Walrus

Attribute	Elephant Seal	Walrus
Scientific Name	Mirounga	Odobenus rosmarus
Size	Up to 20 feet long	Up to 12 feet long
Weight	Up to 8,800 pounds	Up to 3,700 pounds
Habitat	Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters	Arctic and sub-Arctic waters
Diet	Primarily fish and squid	Clams, mussels, and other benthic invertebrates

Physical Characteristics

Elephant seals and walruses are both large marine mammals that belong to the pinniped group. However, they have distinct physical characteristics that set them apart. Elephant seals are known for their massive size, with males reaching lengths of up to 16 feet and weighing as much as 6,000 pounds. They have a distinctive trunk-like proboscis that gives them their name. In contrast, walruses are slightly smaller, with males reaching lengths of up to 12 feet and weighing around 3,700 pounds. They are easily recognizable by their long tusks and thick blubber layer.

Habitat

Both elephant seals and walruses are found in cold, coastal waters, but they inhabit different regions. Elephant seals are primarily found in the waters surrounding Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands. They spend most of their time at sea, only coming ashore to breed and molt. Walruses, on the other hand, are found in the Arctic Ocean and the subarctic seas. They rely on sea ice for resting and breeding, using their tusks to haul themselves out of the water onto the ice.

Diet

Elephant seals and walruses have different diets that reflect their respective habitats. Elephant seals are deep divers that feed on fish, squid, and other marine creatures found in the deep ocean. They can dive to depths of over 5,000 feet and stay underwater for up to two hours. In contrast, walruses are bottom feeders that primarily feed on clams, mussels, and other shellfish. They use their whiskers to detect prey on the ocean floor and their tusks to break open shells.

Social Structure

Both elephant seals and walruses are social animals that form large colonies during the breeding season. However, they have different social structures. Elephant seals have a polygynous mating system, where dominant males mate with multiple females. They establish dominance through physical displays and vocalizations. Walruses, on the other hand, have a more complex social structure that includes family groups and bachelor herds. They communicate through a variety of vocalizations and physical gestures.

Reproduction

Reproduction is a crucial aspect of the life cycle for both elephant seals and walruses. Elephant seals have a unique breeding strategy known as "hauling out," where females come ashore to give birth and nurse their pups. Males compete for access to females, leading to intense battles. Walruses give birth on sea ice and nurse their young in the water. They have a longer gestation period than elephant seals and give birth to a single calf at a time.

Conservation Status

Both elephant seals and walruses face threats to their populations due to human activities and climate change. Elephant seals were once hunted to the brink of extinction for their blubber and oil, but conservation efforts have helped their populations recover. They are currently classified as least concern by the IUCN. Walruses are facing habitat loss due to melting sea ice and are vulnerable to disturbances from oil and gas development. They are classified as vulnerable by the IUCN.