Narwhal vs walrus
Narwhals and walruses are both Arctic marine mammals recognizable for their prominent tusks, but the two animals belong to very different groups. The narwhal is a whale, making it a cetacean, while the walrus is a pinniped — a relative of seals and sea lions.
Their tusks also differ considerably. The narwhal possesses a single tusk that takes the form of an elongated spiral tooth. The walrus, by contrast, has two long canine teeth that point downward. The walrus uses its tusks for hauling out onto ice, displaying to rivals, and helping it move along the seabed.
The two animals also differ in how and where they feed. Narwhals spend their entire lives in the water, diving for fish in deep offshore waters. Walruses feed mainly on bottom-dwelling invertebrates such as clams, foraging in relatively shallow water, and they rest on ice or land between feeding bouts.
Sources: NOAA Fisheries — Narwhal; IUCN Red List — Narwhal (Monodon monoceros); NOAA Fisheries — Pacific Walrus (overview); IUCN Red List — Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus). Educational information only. See our sources & fact-check policy.
Frequently asked questions
Group of the narwhal vs walrus?
Narwhal: whale; walrus: pinniped (seal relative)
Tusks of the narwhal vs walrus?
Narwhal one spiral tooth; walrus two long canines
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