Lie down on the floor, then imagine a second person lying head to toe with you. A big bull walrus would still be longer than the two of you together, and it would weigh as much as a whole school sports team.
An adult male Pacific walrus is about 2.7 to 3.6 m (9 to 12 ft) long and weighs about 800 to 1,700 kg (1,764 to 3,748 lb). Females are smaller, at 2.3 to 3.1 m and 400 to 1,250 kg. The heaviest bulls weigh as much as about 19 average adult men.
Key takeaways
- Males: 2.7–3.6 m long, 800–1,700 kg (Pacific walrus, SeaWorld).
- Females: 2.3–3.1 m long, 400–1,250 kg.
- Compared with you: a big bull is about twice as long as an average man is tall, and 9 to 19 times as heavy.
How big is a walrus compared with a human?
A large male walrus is roughly twice as long as an average man is tall and up to about 19 times heavier. US men average about 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) and 90 kg (199 lb), according to the CDC. A bull walrus is 2.7 to 3.6 m long and 800 to 1,700 kg.
| Length or height | Weight | Weight in average adults | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average US man | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | 90 kg (199 lb) | 1 man |
| Average US woman | 1.61 m (5 ft 3.5 in) | 78 kg (172 lb) | 1 woman |
| Female Pacific walrus | 2.3–3.1 m (7.5–10 ft) | 400–1,250 kg | about 5–16 women |
| Male Pacific walrus | 2.7–3.6 m (9–12 ft) | 800–1,700 kg | about 9–19 men |
| Male Atlantic walrus | about 2.4 m (8 ft) | about 908 kg (2,000 lb) | about 10 men |
| Newborn calf | – | about 63 kg (140 lb) | a bit less than 1 woman |
Human figures are measured US averages for adults aged 20 and over, 2021–2023. Walrus figures are from SeaWorld and, for calves, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Picture it: body weight to scale
Average man: 90 kg
Newborn walrus calf: about 63 kg
Female walrus (top of range): 1,250 kg
Male walrus (top of range): 1,700 kg
Sources: CDC; SeaWorld; ADF&G. The thin grey bar is you. A newborn walrus is already almost as heavy as a grown-up.
Why are walruses so heavy?
Much of a walrus’s weight is insulation. Its blubber can be up to 10 cm (3.9 in) thick, and in winter it may make up a third of total body mass, says SeaWorld. Its skin adds another 2 to 4 cm. That fat keeps a walrus warm in icy water and stores energy. See walrus adaptations for how the blubber, whiskers and tusks work.
Big bodies also lose heat more slowly, because they have less skin compared with the amount of body inside. That helps any large animal living in cold seas.
Are male walruses bigger than females?
Yes, quite a lot. At the top of their ranges, males outweigh females by about 450 kg (SeaWorld). Males also tend to have longer, thicker tusks. Big size and long tusks help bulls win rank in the herd, because rank depends on tusk length, body size and aggressiveness (SeaWorld).
How long are walrus tusks?
Tusks can grow to about 100 cm (39 in) in males and 80 cm (31.5 in) in females (SeaWorld). A full-length male tusk is longer than half the height of an average man. Tusks are upper canine teeth that keep growing throughout life (ADF&G).
Surprising extra: walrus calves grow huge on milk
A walrus calf is born at about 63 kg (140 lb) and stays with its mother for about two years. By the time it becomes independent it weighs about 340 kg (750 lb), more than five times its birth weight, says the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Pregnancy lasts about 15 months.
Myth vs fact
Myth: All walruses weigh “2 tons”.
Fact: “Up to 2 tons” (about 1,800 kg) is the top end for big Pacific bulls. Females usually weigh 400 to 1,250 kg, and Atlantic males average around 900 kg. Why people believe it: the largest figure gets repeated without its context.
Test yourself
1. About how many average men would balance one of the heaviest bull walruses?
About 19 (1,700 kg ÷ 90 kg).
2. How heavy is a newborn walrus calf?
About 63 kg (140 lb), not far off an adult person.
3. Which is bigger, the Pacific or the Atlantic walrus?
The Pacific walrus. Big Pacific males reach 1,700 kg; Atlantic males are about 900 kg.
Related questions
Is a walrus bigger than a polar bear?
A big male walrus can weigh up to 1,700 kg, so it is usually the heavier animal. Compare the figures on our page about how big a polar bear is. Even so, polar bears are one of the walrus’s main predators.
How big is a walrus in feet?
Adult male Pacific walruses are about 9 to 12 ft (2.7 to 3.6 m) long, and females about 7.5 to 10 ft (2.3 to 3.1 m), according to SeaWorld. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game gives a similar picture, with bulls reaching up to about 12 ft and 2 tons.
What eats walruses?
Their main predators are killer whales and polar bears, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Calves and yearlings also face danger on crowded haul-outs, where they can be crushed if the herd panics.
Where to next?
⬆️ Go up: walrus adaptations, from tusks to blubber🔀 Go sideways: what walruses eat🔀 Go sideways: how big a blue whale is
Sources
- SeaWorld Parks (United Parks & Resorts). All about walruses: physical characteristics.
- SeaWorld Parks. All about walruses: adaptations.
- SeaWorld Parks. All about walruses: behavior.
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Walrus species profile.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NCHS. FastStats: Body measurements (August 2021–August 2023).
Sources checked 12 October 2026.
Keep the conversation curious