The Arctic's largest seal uses a specialized suction technique to hunt on the seafloor

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Named for their long, sensitive white whiskers, bearded seals are masters of the shallow Arctic shelf. These solitary, vocal mammals rely on shifting sea ice as a mobile platform for resting and raising pups, moving thousands of miles annually to stay within their preferred icy, nutrient-rich environment.

The bearded seal, Erignathus barbatus, is the largest of the Arctic seals, reaching lengths of about 7 to 8 feet and weighing between 575 and 800 pounds. They are uniquely adapted to life on the continental shelf, where they forage in relatively shallow waters—typically less than 650 feet deep. To navigate the dark, sediment-heavy seafloor, they utilize long, sensitive whiskers to locate prey, which includes clams, crabs, shrimp, and demersal fish like cod and sculpin. They employ a specialized suction feeding strategy, allowing them to efficiently consume soft-bodied benthic invertebrates.

Their survival is inextricably linked to the annual cycle of sea ice. Because they require a stable platform for whelping, nursing, and molting, their distribution shifts seasonally; they generally move north in the spring as ice retreats and south in the fall as it expands. This reliance makes them highly sensitive to environmental changes affecting ice formation. While they are solitary, they are also remarkably vocal. During the breeding season, males produce complex, individually distinct songs consisting of trills, moans, and groans to establish territories or attract mates. Some of these trills can travel up to 12 miles and persist for as long as 3 minutes.

Globally, the population is estimated at over 500,000 individuals, though precise counts remain difficult. The species is divided into two subspecies: E. b. barbatus in the Atlantic sector and E. b. nauticus in the Pacific. In the United States, the Beringia stock is the only population found in Alaskan waters, specifically within the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas. While they are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, certain distinct population segments in the Pacific are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act due to their vulnerability to habitat loss. They are believed to live up to 31 years, navigating an environment that requires constant movement to balance foraging needs with the availability of protective, drifting pack ice.

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