Bearded Seal

Adventure step • Meet the species

Overview

The bearded seal is one of the most charismatic animals of the Arctic, easily recognizable by its long, thick whiskers that can grow up to 30 centimeters long, giving it a distinctive appearance. Reaching lengths of up to 2.7 meters and weighing as much as 430 kilograms, this is the largest seal in Arctic waters after the walrus. Unusually among seals, females are typically larger than males. The coat is dark grey to brownish-grey on the back and lighter on the belly, becoming darker when wet. This seal is perfectly adapted to life on pack ice and in shallow Arctic waters. Unlike many other seals, the bearded seal prefers to hunt in shallow water, often less than 200 meters deep, where it searches for bottom-dwelling organisms. With its extremely sensitive whiskers, it can detect crustaceans, clams, and other bottom-dwelling animals even in complete darkness. These whiskers are so sensitive they can detect vibrations from prey burrowing into the seafloor. The bearded seal is renowned for its fascinating songs during the breeding season. Males produce long, melodious calls that can be heard both below and above the water surface, sometimes resembling science fiction sound effects. These songs can last up to a minute and are used to attract females and mark territory. The song is so powerful it can be heard several kilometers away through the ice. In the Nordic region, the bearded seal occurs primarily in Arctic waters around Svalbard and northern Norway, though occasional individuals may wander south along the Norwegian coast. It plays an important role in Arctic ecosystems and has been a vital resource for indigenous peoples for thousands of years, who have utilized everything from the meat to the skin and blubber.