A massive Arctic seal with distinctive long whiskers (the "beard"). Primary prey of polar bears. Their declines have driven population pressure on polar bears.

Also called: Square Flipper Seal, Bearded Seal, Ugruk (Yupik), Oogruk (Inupiaq)

Native status: Native; circumpolar Arctic

§ Quick facts

SizeBody length 2.0–2.6 m males; 1.9–2.2 m females
WeightMales 250–360 kg; females 200–250 kg
LifespanWild typically 20–25 years
OrderCarnivora
FamilyPhocidae

§ Encyclopedia

The bearded seal, also known as the square-flipper seal, is a medium-sized pinniped that is found in and near to the Arctic Ocean. It gets its generic name from two Greek words that refer to its heavy jaw. The other part of its Linnaean name means bearded and refers to its most characteristic feature, the conspicuous and abundant whiskers. When dry, these whiskers curl elegantly, giving the bearded seal a "raffish" look.

Source: Wikipedia — Bearded seal Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Massive gray-brown seal with extensive long facial whiskers; relatively small head for body size; comparatively short fore-flippers.

Similar species. Other northern seal species (smaller; different whisker development). Walruses (much larger; tusks).

Voice. Beautiful descending "song" of trills and warbles — among the most musical pinniped vocalizations.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Bottom-dwelling fish, octopus, clams, and crustaceans — uses sensitive whiskers to find prey in dark muddy bottoms.

Behavior. Largest northern fur seal. The "beard" of long sensory whiskers around the face is the source of the species name — bearded seals use these whiskers to locate prey in dark and murky Arctic waters. Crucial subsistence species for Inuit and other Arctic Indigenous peoples — every part of the seal is used. Adults sometimes haul out alone on small ice floes rather than in large colonies; population structure makes them difficult to census.

§ Range

Arctic seas, Bering Sea

§ Habitat

Pack ice, drifting ice floes

§ Threats

Climate-driven sea ice loss, polar bear range shifts.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the bearded seal is currently classified as Least Concern.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region
  • National Park Service
  • Arctic Marine Mammal Working Group
  • IUCN Red List 2016