During that time, mother and calf are virtually inseparable. An adult male walrus may also kill and eat ringed and bearded seals. Contrary to popular belief, walruses do not use their tusks either to locate prey or dredge it up. They then suck up the siphon and part of the foot of the clam. According to Miller, walruses in captivity have been known to suck a hole through plywood.
Walruses spend the majority of their lives in the water, but they are highly dependent on ice.
As with land-based haul outs, walruses will use ice floes as places to rest during feeding sessions, as well as to molt and bear their young. Some scientists speculate that global warming is decreasing the amount of ice available to walruses for these activities. Others say that as warming causes coastal ice to retreat, walruses may have to swim exhausting distances to reach the waters in which they feed. The result could be potentially dire consequences for both Pacific and Atlantic walrus populations. Stewart, however, is not a proponent of this theory.