Walrus rest on sea ice, Chukchi Sea

Nearly all female walruses and their young migrate north through the Bering Strait with the seasonal retreat of sea ice. In the Chukchi Sea these walruses rest on sea ice as long as it is available. In most recent years, beginning in 2007, sea ice has disappeared from these offshore habitats and walruses have turned to shore to rest.  USGS is studying the consequences of these changes.