Bearded seals have a gray or brown coat that is darker on their back than their underside.
They are heaviest in the winter and early spring when they can weigh up to approximately 360kg, although the largest they get is when a female is pregnant. In the spring, they decrease their food intake and loose some of their blubber and mass, weighing 216kg to 239kg. The large body mass makes their round head and flippers look even smaller in comparison. Their large, wide muzzle contrasts with their small close set eyes. Bearded seals have long white whiskers, hence their name.