Bearded Seal (Erignathus barbatus)
Bearded Seal pup
(Erignathus barbatus)
Photo: NOAA
Bearded Seal Range Map
(click for larger view PDF)
Did You Know?
- Bearded seals are commonly associated with drifting sea ice in the Arctic Ocean.
- They are extremely vocal and males' songs can be heard for 12 miles!
- In 2007, a bearded seal was found stranded in Southeast Florida, well outside of its normal range!
ESA Threatened - 2 distinct population segments (DPSs)
- Beringia DPS
- Okhotsk DPS
- Beringia DPS
- Okhotsk DPS
MMPA - All bearded seals are protected under the MMPA.
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Weight:
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575-800 lbs (260-360 kg) |
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Length:
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7-8 ft (2.0-2.5 m) |
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Appearance:
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dark brown or gray coat with dark rings and spots, they have a small head, large body, and small, square foreflippers; they have a short snout with thick, long white whiskers, which gives this species their "beard" |
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Lifespan:
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about 25 years |
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Diet:
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arctic cod, shrimp, clams, crabs, and octopus |
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Behavior:
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solitary animals, individual seals rest on ice floes; songs from male bearded seals can be heard for up to 12 miles |
Bearded seals are members of the "true seal" family, Phocidae. They have a small head, large body, and small, square foreflippers. They have a short snout with thick, long white whiskers, which gives this species their "bearded" name. Their coat is dark brown or gray with dark rings and spots.
They are the largest species of arctic seal. Bearded seals grow to lengths of about 7-8 ft (2.0-2.5 m) and weigh about 575-800 lbs (260-360 kg), with females being slightly larger than males. Their lifespan exceeds 25 years.
They are solitary animals and individual seals rest on single ice floes facing the water for an easy escape from predators. Bearded seals are extremely vocal and males' songs can be heard for up to 12 miles.
Little is known about the mating and breeding rituals of bearded seals. Females reach sexual maturity around 5 years and males at 6-7 years. Females give birth to a single pup while hauled out on pack-ice. Pups are usually born between mid-March and May and are weaned at about 15 days old.
Bearded seals feed on "benthic" prey such as arctic cod, shrimp, clams, crabs, and octopus. While feeding, they dive to depths usually less than 325 ft (100 m).
Bearded seals reside in arctic waters and are commonly found with drifting sea ice. They inhabit waters less than 650 ft (200 m) deep. Bearded seals are found in the Northern Hemisphere with a circumpolar distribution that does not extend farther north than 80°N. There is one stock of bearded seals in U.S. waters: the Alaska stock. The most recent stock assessment reports with population estimates are available on our website.- Loss of sea ice is a potential threat to the habitat of bearded seals.
- Bycatch in commercial fishing gear, such as commercial trawls, may occur, but mortality incidental to fishing is very low.
- In Russia, these seals are hunted commercially.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Phocidae
Genus: Erignathus
Species: barbatus (All documents are in PDF format.)
| Title | Federal Register | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Final listing of the Okhotsk and Beringia DPSs as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act | 77 FR 76739 | 12/28/2012 |
| Proposed listing of the Okhotsk and Beringia DPSs as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act | 75 FR 77496 | 12/10/2010 |
| Initiation of Status Review | 73 FR 16617 | 03/28/2008 |
| Stock Assessment Reports | n/a | various |
- NMFS Alaska Region Ice Seal Information
- NMFS National Marine Mammal Laboratory Bearded Seal Information
- NOAA Unmanned Aircraft Helping Scientists Learn About Alaskan Ice Seals: Polar Ecosystems Program Research Cruise
- NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center Information about Ice Seals
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game Bearded Seal Information
- Discovery of Sound in the Sea (DOSITS): Bearded Seal Sounds
- Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS-SEAMAP) Bearded Seal Species Profile
Updated: October 26, 2016
