Bearded Seal
ExploreMammals
Bearded Seal
Erignathus barbatus
Bearded seals are friendly animals that love to swim in cold ocean waters. They have whiskers that look like beards, which help them feel around in the water.
Appearance
The Bearded Seal is a large, robust seal with a relatively small head. It has short, brownish-gray fur and famously long, pale, bristly whiskers that resemble a shaggy beard. Its powerful body tapers to broad hind flippers.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderCarnivoraFamilyPhocidaeGenusErignathus
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Pups are born with a furry coat that helps them float on water easily!
Their scientific name, *Erignathus barbatus*, means 'deep-jawed bearded one'.
They hum and trill underwater, making unique, echoing songs!
Unlike other seals, they use all four flippers to swim slowly underwater.
Special abilities
Ability
Ice Breakers
Bearded Seal can use its thick skull and powerful fore-flippers to break through ice for breathing holes.
Ability
Deep Diver
Bearded Seal can hold its breath for long periods, allowing it to dive deep to find food below the surface.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 210-270 cm
- Weight
- 200-360 kg
- Lifespan
- 20-25 years
- Top Speed
- 10 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1
- Gestation
- 240-330 days
Diet & Feeding
They munch on small creatures found on the seafloor, like shrimp, crabs, and bottom-dwelling fish.
Primary Foods
- shrimp
- crabs
- clams
- cod
- flatfish
- octopus
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Polar Bear
Ursus maritimus
Major predator hunting seals on the ice.
hunts
Killer Whale
Orcinus orca
Marine apex predator, occasionally hunts seals.
eats
Arctic Cod
Boreogadus saida
Common fish prey found on the seafloor.
eats
Snow Crab
Chionoecetes opilio
Crabs are a favorite food of these seals.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Whiskered
Possessing prominent sensory hairs or vibrissae, often around the snout.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Piscivorous
Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Also known as
Square Flipper Seal
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Bearded seals are wild animals and should be admired from a distance. Always respect their space in nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Bearded Seal?
210-270 cm
How much does Bearded Seal weigh?
200-360 kg
How long does Bearded Seal live?
20-25 years
How fast can Bearded Seal move?
10 km/h
What does Bearded Seal eat?
They munch on small creatures found on the seafloor, like shrimp, crabs, and bottom-dwelling fish.
How does Bearded Seal hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Bearded Seal usually have?
1
How long is Bearded Seal's gestation?
240-330 days
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