Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Carnivora
- Family
- Phocidae
- Genus
- Erignathus
Habitat
Bearded seals primarily inhabit the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, favoring areas with pack ice, shallow coastal waters, and continental shelves. They are often found in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas, where they haul out on ice floes for resting and breeding. Their preference for benthic habitats means they are commonly associated with areas less than 200 meters deep.
Diet
Bearded seals mainly feed on benthic invertebrates such as clams, crabs, and shrimp, which they locate using their sensitive whiskers on the ocean floor. They also consume fish like cod and sculpins when available. Feeding typically occurs during the day in shallow waters, with dives lasting up to 20 minutes.
Behavior
Bearded seals are generally solitary but may gather in loose groups on ice floes during breeding or molting seasons. They are excellent swimmers, capable of diving to depths of over 200 meters to forage, and are mostly active during the day. These seals exhibit territorial behavior around breeding sites, with males vocalizing to attract females, and they often haul out on ice to rest and avoid predators. They are known for their loud, trilling calls underwater.
Conservation Status
The IUCN classifies the bearded seal as Least Concern, though some subspecies are vulnerable due to declining ice habitats from climate change. Major threats include hunting, pollution, and habitat loss from melting sea ice.