The bearded seal is one of the largest true seals found in the Arctic. They can weigh as much as 660 lbs and have a nose to tail length of up to nine feet, with females being the larger of the two sexes, a relatively unusual characteristic for seal species.
Bearded seals get their name from the profusion of walrus-like whiskers that droop down from above the upper jaw of both females and males. Additional characteristics that distinguish them from other species of seal in the region, such as the ringed seal, are square front flippers, and a generally greyish-brown coat.
Containing as much as 40% of their body weight as fat, bearded seals are a popular source of food for polar bears, while indigenous Inuit populations have traditionally used their durable skins for huskie harnesses and to cover the wooden frames of their umiak open boats.
Thankfully, neither polar bears nor man has had a significant impact on bearded seal populations, which remain stable. Populations can be found in Arctic regions of both the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans, meaning they can be spotted on the shores of most of Alaska, northern Canada, and Greenland, as well as Iceland and Scandinavia in limited locations. The extreme edge of their range sees them basking on beaches of the Netherlands and Germany, albeit in smaller numbers.
Bearded seals obtain most of their food from the sea floor, where they seek out bottom-dwelling fish, squid, and shellfish such as clams using their bristling whiskers. Favoring shallow areas of coast, they are rarely found diving below 1,000 feet.
The breeding season is in late April and May, which is the time to visit to observe newly born pups. Pups are generally born on moving ice floes for protection from predators, and weigh an impressive 75 lbs at birth.
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Other Arctic Wildlife
Arctic Fox / Arctic Hare / Arctic Wolf / Caribou / Musk Ox / Polar Bear / Beluga Whale / Narwhal / Ringed Seal / Walrus / Arctic Tern / Gyrfalcon / Puffin / Snowy Owl
