Aiviq • Walrus

Natural History

Walrus are large flippered marine mammals that can weight up to 2000 pounds and lives around the north pole. Adult walruses are easily recognized by their prominent tusks, whiskers, and bulkiness.

Inuit Knowledge

Walrus have been an important resource for Inuit people for a long time, particularly for those living in the North Foxe Basin area. Traditionally, fat Walrus were especially sought after, as their blubber was an important source of fuel for cooking and heating. Walrus skin is very tough and can be used to make tents, boat covers, and lines. The tusks can be made into harpoons, knives, combs, carvings and parts of dog harnesses. The jawbones can be used for knives and the teeth for harpoon points for hunting seals. The meat was and is fed to sled dogs, though there are fewer hunters using traditional dog sleds these days, and is also an important food for people.

Sea Ice

In the summer walrus haul-out of the water either on ice floes or, if there is little sea ice present, go on land at uglit to rest and to give birth. During the winter they live in association with the pack ice.

If there is a lot of sea ice one year during the summer, it makes it hard for hunters to get to walrus as they are most commonly hunted from boats during the summer. If ice floes are concentrated further away from the community during the summer (which walrus like to haul-out on), then it may not be worth the hunting trip depending on the distance hunters would have to travel.