Walruses live in the Arctic and subarctic. This subspecies is found in marginal seas of the North Pacific and Arctic Ocean. The body weight of male is up to 1,700 kg, The tusks of walruses are their canines, which can grow up to 1 m long. They plunge these large teeth into ice to make breathing holes, or to pull their bulky bodies out of the water. Male walruses also use them aggressively to defend their territory and protect their harems.

Walruses require sea ice for breeding and for reaching offshore feeding sites. As global warming reduces sea ice cover and alters its spatial and temporal patterns, walruses have come under threat. These animals are also highly sensitive to human disturbance. Activities such as trawl fishing can cause them to abandon sites.