Walruses are the largest pinnipeds in arctic and subarctic seas. They are most commonly found in relatively shallow water areas, close to ice or land. Their geographic range completely encircles the Polar Basin. The principal differences between the two are in the longer tusks and larger body size of the Pacific walrus. The groups may be regarded as closely related but geographically separated subspecies.
Today there are far more Pacific than Atlantic walruses.
The 1990 population of the Pacific subspecies was estimated at about 201,000 animals. They are the mainstay of several Eskimo villages. Their flesh is used for food and the skins as boat coverings. The intestines were traditionally used to make rain gear. In the American sector of the Bering and Chukchi seas, walruses occur seasonally from Bristol Bay to Point Barrow.