Why do walruses have tusks?
For grown-ups: the science
Walruses use their long tusks to pull onto ice, work around ice, and show other walruses they are strong.
Walrus tusks are enlarged upper canine teeth in both sexes and grow throughout life. They can aid hauling out onto ice, maintaining or enlarging ice holes, defense, and social display; tusk size is associated with age and status, especially among males.
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Transcript
A walrus rests on a chunk of sea ice, with two long white tusks. What are those tusks for?
Walrus tusks are extra-long teeth that keep growing. Both boy and girl walruses have them.
A walrus can hook its tusks on ice to help pull its heavy body up. The tusks can also help it make a breathing hole wider.
Walruses may show their tusks to other walruses, especially when they want space. Big tusks can help a walrus look strong.
So, walrus tusks are long teeth for climbing ice, working around ice, and showing strength.