Which Arctic seal is also called the bearded seal?

The bearded seal is scientifically called Erignathus barbatus.

This large Arctic seal gets its common name from the prominent array of long, pale whiskers around its muzzle. Its genus name Erignathus combines Greek roots associated with wool and jaw, while barbatus is Latin for “bearded.”

Bearded seals live on drifting sea ice and shallow continental shelves throughout the Arctic and sub-Arctic. Unlike seals that mainly pursue fast-swimming fish, they often forage on the seafloor, using their sensitive whiskers to locate clams, shrimp, crabs, and fish in sediment.

They are also known for their distinctive trilling or singing calls beneath the ice. The species is larger than the ringed seal but generally smaller than the walrus. Its broad front flippers and strong claws help it maintain breathing holes and move across ice.