Bearded Seal

The bearded seal is a large Arctic seal averaging 2.3 m in length and normally weighing 200–250 kg, although seasonal mass can reach 430 kg. Females are larger than males. Adults have a relatively small head, long body, square flippers, pronounced claws, and straight fur ranging from light gray to dark brown. Their face and flippers may appear rust-colored. The species’ most distinctive feature is its dense array of long facial whiskers, which gives the seal its common name. (Animal Diversity Web)

Bearded seals inhabit shallow Arctic seas generally less than 200 m deep, especially areas of pack ice and drifting floes. Individuals are mostly solitary and often occupy separate floes, following the seasonal movement of ice north and south. Sightings outside their usual Arctic distribution have included China. Primarily bottom feeders, they dive for mollusks, crustaceans, Arctic cod, sculpins, flatfish, and other benthic prey. Males produce elaborate underwater songs during the breeding season, probably for courtship or territorial advertisement. (Animal Diversity Web)