Bearded SealErignathus barbatusWhere and when to see them

The bearded seal is a large Arctic seal named for its exceptionally dense whiskers. It is closely associated with shallow shelf seas, where those sensitive whiskers help locate food on the seabed. Adults usually appear grey or brown, sometimes with rusty staining around the face. Floating ice provides important resting and pupping platforms. Although globally widespread around the Arctic, the species depends on conditions that are changing as sea ice declines.

Size

2.1–2.7 m long

Weight

200–430 kg

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Bearded seals are often solitary when resting on ice and tend to choose small floes with easy access to water. They frequently lie near an edge, ready to leave if disturbed. During the breeding season, males produce elaborate calls that carry through the sea. Pups enter the water very early in life and develop rapidly during a short nursing period, while mothers alternate care with feeding. Bearded seals are generally solitary, but loose aggregations can sometimes form in areas with abundant food or ideal ice conditions. Males vocalize extensively underwater during the breeding season to attract mates and establish territories. Pups are born with a soft, woolly, gray-brown coat and are highly precocial, entering the water within hours of birth.

• Their whiskers can appear curled when dry.
• Males produce long, elaborate breeding calls.
• Pups can swim shortly after birth.
• Rust-coloured facial patches can result from contact with iron-rich seabed sediments.

Late spring and summer provide the most practical daylight and vessel access in many Arctic regions. Around Svalbard, summer routes may pass suitable ice habitat. Pupping generally occurs earlier, with timing varying geographically, so travel season should not be treated as pupping season. Prime viewing opportunities often coincide with summer expedition cruises when sea ice is sufficiently broken up to allow vessel navigation into their typical habitat. Although pupping occurs earlier, mothers and pups are still often seen together during early summer as pups are weaned. The presence of foraging individuals is more consistent throughout the ice-free season.

The species mainly occupies Arctic and subarctic shelf waters with drifting pack ice and productive seabeds. It generally favours shallower seas over deep central ocean basins. Seasonal ice movements influence distribution, and occasional animals rest on land where suitable ice is scarce. The species' distribution closely aligns with the extent of seasonal sea ice, crucial for resting and pupping. While generally preferring shallower waters, they can be found in a variety of coastal marine environments with depths up to 200 meters. They frequently occur in areas with strong currents that prevent ice from freezing solid, creating polynya habitats.

Bearded seals eat bottom-dwelling animals, including clams, other molluscs, shrimps, crabs and marine worms, as well as fish. Sensitive whiskers help detect prey in soft sediment. Their relatively small teeth and suction-feeding ability suit this seabed-focused feeding strategy. Their diet varies seasonally and geographically, reflecting local prey availability. While bottom-feeders, they are known to consume pelagic fish when available. Their unique suction-feeding allows them to consume soft-bodied invertebrates with ease, leaving distinct feeding trails on the seabed.

Common name

Bearded Seal

Scientific name

Erignathus barbatus

Animal group

Mammals

Size

2.1–2.7 m long

Weight

200–430 kg

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Identification

Compared with ringed seals, bearded seals are much larger and have a broad muzzle, luxuriant pale whiskers and unusually square-looking foreflippers. Beyond their whiskers and foreflippers, adult bearded seals have a relatively small head compared to their robust body. Their overall coloration is typically grayish brown, often with a darker dorsal stripe and sometimes indistinct lighter blotches. Distinctive long, white, curly whiskers, which can reach up to 50 cm, are a key feature for identification.