Bearded seal

Bearded Seal (Erignathus barbatus), also known as the Square Flipper Seal, is a medium-sized pinniped that is found in and near to the Arctic Ocean. It gets its common name from its distinctive heavy whisker growth, which resembles a beard. These whiskers, or vibrissae, are used to find food on the ocean floor.

Taxonomy

The Bearded Seal is the only species in the genus Erignathus. It belongs to the family Phocidae, also known as the earless seals or true seals. The species was first described by naturalist Peter Simon Pallas in 1776.

Description

Bearded Seals are notable for their square flippers and prominent whiskers. Adults typically measure between 2.1 to 2.7 meters in length and weigh from 200 to 430 kilograms. The body is covered in a thick layer of blubber that serves to insulate them from the cold Arctic waters.

Distribution and Habitat

The Bearded Seal is circumpolar in distribution, being found in the Arctic Ocean and adjacent seas. It prefers areas with shallow waters, where it can easily access the sea floor to forage for food.

Diet

The diet of the Bearded Seal primarily consists of small invertebrates that live on the sea floor, such as clams, squid, and fish.

Reproduction

Bearded Seals are solitary animals for most of the year, but come together in pairs for the breeding season. Females give birth to a single pup in the spring, which they care for until it is able to fend for itself.

Conservation Status

The Bearded Seal is currently listed as a species of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, it is threatened by climate change, which is reducing the extent of its sea ice habitat.

See Also

• Pinniped
• Arctic Ocean
• Phocidae
• Peter Simon Pallas
• International Union for Conservation of Nature