Home › Mammalia › Phocidae › Bearded Seal (Erignathus barbatus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Bearded Seal (Erignathus barbatus)
Erignathus
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Arctic
DIET
Carnivorous
HABITAT
Arctic sea ice
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Carnivora
FAMILY
Phocidae
GENUS
Erignathus
📋 Description
SIZE
2-3 m body, 200-400 kg
COLORATION
Grey-brown, long whiskers
ADAPTATIONS
Ice-living, long whiskers for sensing
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Arctic sea ice
DIET
Carnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Arctic
REPRODUCTION
1 pup per year
DIET DETAILS
Fish, crustaceans
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Climate change
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The bearded seal has the longest whiskers of any seal and uses them to find food under ice.
2
It is a key prey for polar bears.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Svalbard Norway
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Summer
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Look for on Arctic pack ice.
