About the Bearded Seal

Bearded Seals are named for their distinctive long whiskers. They are larger than ringed seals and have a preference for shallow waters, where they hunt for bottom-dwelling prey.

While widely distributed, they are less dense than some other seal species and can be elusive.

Vulnerable to changes in sea ice habitat due to climate change, and entanglement in fishing gear.

Reductions in sea ice affect their breeding habitats and the availability of their preferred sandy sea-bedded feeding grounds.

Bearded Seal Photography

Mike Unwin

Bearded Seal Mike Unwin

Bearded Seal Resting

A Bearded Seal relaxing on a thin ice sheet.

Bearded Seal On Thin Ice

Bearded seal on ice

A Bearded seal on an ice floe in Svalbard

Where to see Bearded Seals

Found in Arctic waters around Alaska, Canada, Russia, and Greenland, particularly near shallow coastal areas.

Interesting facts about Bearded Seals

Bearded seals have an extraordinary ability to sing underwater during the breeding season, making calls that can last up to several minutes.

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