Erignathus

Erignathus is a genus of earless seals in the family Phocidae. It contains a single living species, Erignathus barbatus, the bearded seal. The species inhabits Arctic and sub-Arctic coastal and pack-ice waters of the northern hemisphere, from North America to Eurasia, where it rests on sea ice and along shores and uses ice for breeding and molting.

Bearded seals are medium-sized for the family, with adults typically 1.8–2.5 meters long and weighing about 180–360 kilograms. They have a stout body, small eyes, and a distinctive fringe of long vibrissae around the muzzle, giving them their name. Fur ranges from gray to brown with a lighter belly, providing camouflage on the seafloor and in ice-covered habitats.

They feed primarily on benthic invertebrates such as clams, crustaceans, and polychaete worms, with small amounts of fish. Bearded seals forage by diving to shallow seafloor habitats and using their sensitive whiskers to detect prey. They are generally solitary but may form loose haul-out groups on stable ice or shores, especially during breeding periods.

Breeding occurs on sea ice in late winter. Females give birth to a single pup on ice in spring; pups are nursed for several weeks before weaning. Males vocalize during the breeding season and compete for mates, while females manage pup care and maternal bonding.

Climate change poses a major threat to bearded seals through loss of sea ice, altering habitat and prey availability. Regional hunting by Indigenous communities continues under management in many areas. The species is protected by national laws and international agreements in many ranges, and populations are monitored by scientists and wildlife agencies.