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Narwhal vs Walrus

Narwhal vs walrus
Near enough equal on weight
Narwhal and walrus are near enough identical on weight.

A narwhal and a walrus can be compared on 3 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.

Side by side

Larger value in bold. Ranges reflect genuine variation, not uncertainty.
Narwhal Walrus
Weight 800–1,600 kg 400–1,900 kg
Length 3.9–5.5 m 2.2–3.6 m
Typical lifespan 30–90 yr 30–40 yr

What the numbers say

  • Narwhal and walrus are near enough identical on weight.
  • Narwhal is somewhat greater than walrus on length — about 1.4×.
  • Narwhal is somewhat greater than walrus on typical lifespan — about 1.3×.

Weight compared.

Narwhal 800–1,600 kg
Walrus 400–1,900 kg

Narwhal

An Arctic whale whose "horn" is a single spiral tooth, grown by nearly all males and a few females.

Walrus

A tusked Arctic pinniped that hauls out in herds of thousands and forages for clams on the seabed.

This is a comparison of published measurements, nothing more. It describes how two things differ on measures that have been recorded; it does not predict how they would fare against each other in any situation.

Common questions

Which is bigger, narwhal or walrus?
Narwhal and walrus are near enough identical on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.
How do narwhals and walruses compare on length?
Narwhal: 3.9–5.5 m. Walrus: 2.2–3.6 m. Narwhal is somewhat greater than walrus on length — about 1.4×.
How do narwhals and walruses compare on typical lifespan?
Narwhal: 30–90 yr. Walrus: 30–40 yr. Narwhal is somewhat greater than walrus on typical lifespan — about 1.3×.

Related pages

Sources

  1. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — NOAA (Public domain (US Government))

How these figures are compiled and checked