description Bearded Seal Overview
The bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) is a large species of true seal found throughout the cold coastal waters of the Arctic and subarctic oceans. The animal takes its name from its distinctive, highly visible white whiskers, which are essential for locating prey on the dark ocean floor. Unlike many seal species that hunt pelagic fish, the bearded seal is primarily a benthic forager, using its whiskers to detect clams, crabs, and shrimp in the shallow continental shelf waters. They are solitary animals and serve as a key prey species for polar bears and killer whales.
help Bearded Seal FAQ
What does the Bearded Seal eat?
Bearded Seals primarily forage along the ocean floor in shallow coastal waters for food. Their diet consists heavily of benthic organisms such as clams, crabs, and shrimp.
How big do Bearded Seals get?
The Bearded Seal is one of the largest ice seals in the Arctic Ocean, with adults weighing around 250 to 300 kilograms. They are notably bulky, measuring up to two and a half meters in length.
Why are they called Bearded Seals?
They get their name from their prominent, luxuriant white whiskers located on their snouts. These long, stiff whiskers are highly sensitive and used to detect food hidden in the sea floor.
What are the natural predators of the Bearded Seal?
Bearded Seals are a primary food source for polar bears, who hunt them along the Arctic ice. Killer whales and Greenland sharks are also known to prey on them when they are in the water.
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