Erignathus barbatus (Erxleben, 1777)
Bearded seal
Erignathus barbatus
photo by FAO

Family:  Phocidae ()
Max. size:  250 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine
Distribution:  Pacific Northwest, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic: Bering Sea, Sea of Okhotsk, Atlantic Ocean, Canada Quebec, Alaska, Greenland, Canada Newfoundland, Norway, Russia, Japan (Ref. 1394), Canada, Iceland, UK, France, Spain, Portugal, China, Kamchatka, Laptev Sea (Ref. 1522); Erignathus barbatus barbatus: Canada, Greenland, Russia, Canada Newfoundland, Iceland, Norway, UK, France, Spain, Portugal; Erignathus barbatus nauticus: Russia, Canada, Laptev Sea, Alaska, Japan, China, Sea of Okhotsk, Kamchatka.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  They usually restrict themselves to sea ice and stay in relatively shallow areas of continuously moving ice, where open leads and polynyas regularly form. In some areas, they are known to haul out on shore, ascend streams, or live a pelagic existence away from ice and land for long periods of time. Feeds on many species of small invertebrates that live on, and in, the bottom; and fish (Ref. 1394). They usually restrict themselves to sea ice and stay in relatively shallow areas of continuously moving ice, where open leads and polynyas regularly form. In some areas, they are known to haul out on shore, ascend streams, or live a pelagic existence away from ice and land for long periods of time. Feeds on many species of small invertebrates that live on, and in, the bottom; fish (Ref. 1394).
IUCN Red List Status: (LC); Date assessed: 17 February 2016 Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans: 
Country info:   
 

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