It is during May and June that starveling pups are most commonly found on beaches. Most studies of the food habits of spotted seals in the Bering Sea are based on samples obtained in April to June. In general, studies show that principal foods are schooling fishes, although the total array of foods is quite varied. There are geographical and seasonal differences in their prey. Arctic cod are a major food item in the northern Bering Sea, while pollock and capelin are dominant items in the central and southeastern parts, respectively.
Pups feed primarily on crustaceans, mainly small shrimps.
Many other items of lesser importance are consumed. Data from satellite tags suggests that they dive to near the bottom to feed. By March-April they are concentrated mainly in the ice front at or near the southern ice margin in a band that extends from Bristol Bay in the east to Karaginski Bay in the west. Though continuous, their distribution is not uniform. Centers of abundance are in western Bristol Bay, near the Pribilof Islands, and in the eastern Anadyr to Karaginski Bay region.