The walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) is a large pinniped that lives in Arctic waters and prefers shallow continental shelves along coasts. It has a thick blubber layer for insulation and coarse hair, and uses the sensitive whiskers around its mouth to locate benthic animals such as bivalves on the seabed and capture them by suction. Males are larger than females and bear long tusks, which are used in feeding and to haul out onto ice. Walruses are social, reproduce in the water, have a gestation period of about 15–16 months, and a long nursing period with weaning at around 2–3 years of age. Although populations are showing some recovery, the species is classified as Vulnerable (IUCN Red List Category II).