December 27, 2024
by Nadia Schimnowski, Conservation Campaign Officer
From majestic whales to quirky sea stars, these 10 species showcase the incredible diversity of Manitoba’s Arctic marine life.
Hudson Bay is one of the most ecologically rich and understudied Arctic regions in the world. From the infamous polar bears all the way down to the smallest of plankton, there is so much to explore along the coast of Manitoba. We have narrowed down a list of 10 cool species that you’ve got to check out.
10 Manitoba Marine Species
Without further ado, here are 10 of Manitoba’s amazing marine species and possibly some fun facts you have never heard before!
- Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus)
Yes, Polar bears are marine mammals! Even though these large mammals are born and bred on the land, they spend most of their lifetime in the sea swimming between ice floes and hunting for seals. Churchill, Manitoba is home to the largest gathering of polar bears between the months of October and November. For many reasons polar bears gather here (including prime denning grounds), they are also attracted to the large freshwater influence from the Churchill, Nelson, and Hayes Rivers emptying into the Hudsons bay waters (freshwater freezes at a higher temperature than sea water) causing an early ice freeze up. This early covering of ice is what attracts the hungry polar bears getting ready for the cold winter months to come.
Did you know? – Polar bears have 3 eyelids to protect their eyes from the harsh Arctic elements!
- Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas)
The most beloved and remarkable of species to inhabit the Hudson Bay waters is the Beluga Whale. In the summer months they are most commonly found along shallow coastal waters, estuaries and river mouths (this is why Churchill is such a significant hot spot). During the winter months they will migrate into deeper waters and where open water is more accessible. It is common to see Belugas in large numbers as they are very social creatures and are often called the “Canaries of the Sea” because of the squeaks, pops, whistles and chirps they use to communicate with one another.
Did you know?– Unlike many whales, the beluga is able to swim backwards!
- Bearded Seal (Erignathus barbatus)
Known as the largest of all arctic seals, the bearded seal lives for an average of 25-30 years, they can grow to be eight feet long and weigh between 600-800 pounds! These seals are benthic feeders, meaning that they feed on creatures that live on the bottom of the ocean. Their long whiskers which give them their distinctive feature also allow them to feel around on the bottom of the ocean floor for food.
Did you know? – Bearded seals sleep vertically in the oceans with their heads just above water. – just bobbing around.
- Ringed Seal (Pusa hispida)
The easiest way to tell the difference between a ringed seal and other seal species is by the small conspicuous light grey ring patterns on their back. They are also the smallest of the seal species but are numerous in population size and can be found globally across the Arctic circle. Though they have a large population, this species tends to be solitary and tend not to mingle with other wildlife (this is why they are harder to spot).
Did you know? – Typically the ringed seal can travel underwater at a rate of 10km/h but can ‘sprint’ up to 30km/h!
- Harbour Seal (Phoca vitulina)
The harbour seal is an interesting mammal of Hudson Bay. Having a more ‘dog-face’ appearance and darker rings on its back (compared to the ringed seal) helps to distinguish it from other species. These seals tend to stay more coastal because they are well adapted to live in fresh, brackish, and saltwater environments. What makes the harbour seal skilled hunters is their ability to plunge 300 feet underwater and they can even hold their breath for up to 30 minutes!
Did you know? – Harbour seals do not drink water, they metabolize it from their food sources.
- Fourhorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis)
The fourhorn sculpin is of the smaller marine creatures on this list. Distinguished by its brown and dark coloured body and four horns that stick out of the top of its head, this fish is known to be found in fresh, brackish, and saltwater environments. The Churchill River estuary (where fresh and saltwater meet) is an important spawning ground and year-long habitat for this species.
Did you know? – The fourhorn sculpin is not sought through commercial and sport fishing but often falls victim to being accidentally caught.
- Naked Sea Butterfly (Clione limacina)
Related to snails and sea slugs, the Naked Sea Butterfly/Sea Angel is a small gymnosomatous (without a shell) “pteropod”. You can find these funny looking creatures in the cold Hudson Bay waters, the Arctic Ocean and in the North Atlantic Ocean. The naked sea butterfly is also a hermaphrodite, meaning that they have both female and male reproductive systems.
Did you know? – Sea angels are well-known in Japanese culture and two Pokemon characters (Manaphy and Phione) are based on these little sea creatures.
- Greenland Cod
Not many people talk about this bottom dwelling fish but we thought they deserved a special highlight on our list. The southwestern Hudson Bay greenland cod is an interesting and understudied species of fish in the region. Unlike other marine fish, greenland cod are a non-schooling species with tan-ish brown to silvery colour, which often makes them harder to spot in the wild.
Did you know? – There are many subspecies of Cod but the greenland cod is considered a “true cod” – meaning that it is one of the OG’s
- Purple Sunstar (Solaster endeca)
The Purple Sunstar is a pinkish-purple and sometimes orange creature ranging between 20-40cm wide that can be found in deeper Hudson Bay waters. Typically this starfish has 10 arms but can have up to 13 at one time. You can find this creature living on rocky, muddy and sandy seabeds across the Arctic and northern areas of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
Did you know? – The Purple Sunstar has regenerative capabilities (aka they have the ability to regrow limbs)!
- Lion’s Mane Jellyfish (Cyanea capillata)
You can find this beautiful and elegant jelly floating around in cold Arctic and North Pacific waters. This beautiful sea creature also possesses bioluminescent abilities (they are able to produce its own light and glow in the dark). Interestingly enough, scientists have found that these creatures actually thrive in heavily human influenced environments. Therefore if you begin to see more and more jellies hanging around, you can assume that human activities (such as fishing and pollution) are beginning to heavily influence the natural world.
Did you know? – The largest ever recorded lion’s mane jellyfish is 120 feet long! Rivalring the blue whale (the largest animal on earth).
Learn More:
If this is something that interests you and you would like to learn more about Hudson Bay, be sure to stay tuned for an in-depth report that deep dives into this ecologically rich region coming in the new year.