Conservation
Scientific Classification
| Order | Carnivora |
| Clade | Pinnipedia |
| Genus | Phocidae |
| Family | Erignathus |
| Binomial Name | Erignathus barbatus |
Range Map
Description
The bearded seal, also known as the square flipper seal is a medium-sized species of seal which is native to the Arctic Ocean.
They are found in a wide range spanning from Bristol Bay on the Alaskan coast to the Sea of Okhotsk on the Russian Coast. They can also be found in Canada, Norway, and Japan.
These earless seals are grayish brown and darker on the back. Females of this species are larger than males. On average, bearded seals measure about 2.1 to 2.7 meters in body length and their body mass spans between 200 to 430 kilograms.
Bearded seals are a major food source for polar bears. These seals feed primarily on small marine species including clams, squids, and fish.