Mediterranean Monk Seal
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Suborder
Clade
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Monachus monachus
Population size
600-700
Life Span
20-45 years
Weight
240-400
528-880
kglbs
kg lbs 
Length
2
8
mft
m ft 

The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) is a monk seal belonging to the family Phocidae. As of 2015, it is estimated that fewer than 700 individuals survive in three or four isolated subpopulations in the Mediterranean, (especially) in the Aegean Sea, the archipelago of Madeira and the Cabo Blanco area in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. It is believed to be the world's rarest pinniped species.

Di

Diurnal

Ca

Carnivore

Pi

Piscivores

Se

Semiaquatic

Na

Natatorial

Vi

Viviparous

Te

Territorial

Pu

Pursuit predator

Po

Polygyny

Ge

Generally solitary

No

Not a migrant

M

starts with

Appearance

The monk seals' pups have a white stripe on their bellies, which differs in color and shape between the two sexes. In females, the stripe is usually rectangular in shape whereas in males it is usually butterfly-shaped. This hair is replaced after six to eight weeks by the usual short hair adults carry. Adults will continue to molt annually, causing their color vibrancy to change throughout the year.

Video

Distribution

Geography

Mediterranean monk seals can be found in Western Sahara, Mauritania, Cyprus, Turkey, Greece, and Croatia. They may be extinct in Tunisia, Libya, Italy, Spain and Albania. In ancient times, and up until the 20th century, Mediterranean monk seals had been known to congregate, give birth, and seek refuge on open beaches. In more recent times, they have left their former habitat and now only use sea caves for these activities. Often these caves are inaccessible to humans. Frequently their caves have underwater entries and many caves are positioned along remote or rugged coastlines.

Mediterranean Monk Seal habitat map

Climate zones

Mediterranean Monk Seal habitat map
Mediterranean Monk Seal
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Habits and Lifestyle

Mediterranean monk seals are generally solitary and diurnal; they spend their days foraging, basking, sleeping, and hauling out. They prefer to feed in shallow coastal waters but may also forage at depths up to 250 meters. Monk seals prefer hunting in wide-open spaces, enabling them to use their speed more effectively. They are successful bottom-feeding hunters and some individuals have even been observed lifting slabs of rock in search of prey. Mediterranean monk seals don't migrate long distances and are relatively sedentary, however, when food is scarce adults may travel considerable distances.

Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

Mediterranean monk seals are carnivores (piscivores). They feed on a variety of fish and mollusks, primarily octopus, squid, and eels.

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR
REPRODUCTION SEASON
year-round
PREGNANCY DURATION
11 months
BABY CARRYING
1 pup
INDEPENDENT AGE
18 weeks
FEMALE NAME
cow
MALE NAME
bull
BABY NAME
pup

It is suggested that Mediterranean monk seals are polygynous, with males being very territorial when they mate with females. The breeding season occurs year-round with the peak of births in September, October, and November. Females give birth to a single pup after the gestation period that lasts 11 months. At birth pups are about 1 meter (3.3 ft) long and weigh around 15-18 kilograms (33-40 lb); their skin is covered by 1-1.5 centimeter-long, dark brown to black hair. They make their first contact with the water 2 weeks after their birth and are weaned at around 18 weeks of age. Most females are believed to reach reproductive maturity at 4 years of age while males begin to breed at the age of 6 years.

Population

Population threats

Mediterranean monk seals have been threatened for centuries. In the past, they were hunted for their skin and persecuted by fishermen, who used to consider these animals pests due to the damage they cause to fishing nets when they prey on fish caught in them. Currently, Mediterranean monk seals suffer from pollution, climate change, entanglement in fishing nets, lack of food sources due to overfishing, and human disturbances. They have left their former habitat and now use only caves. Scientists have confirmed this is a recent adaptation, most likely due to the rapid increase in the human population, tourism, and industry, which have caused an increased disturbance by humans and the destruction of the species' natural habitat. Because of these seals' shy nature and sensitivity to human disturbance, they have slowly adapted to try to avoid contact with humans completely within the last century, and, perhaps, even earlier. The coastal caves are, however, dangerous for newborns, and are causes of major mortality among pups when sea storms hit the caves.

Population number

According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Mediterranean monk seal is about 600-700 individuals. The largest subpopulation is located in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and consists of 350-450 individuals including 300-400 individuals in Greece and about 100 individuals in Turkey. The second largest subpopulation is located in the Cabo Blanco area and consists of about 220 individuals. The third subpopulation is located in the archipelago of Madeira and consists of about 40 individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List, but its numbers today are increasing.

Fun Facts for Kids

  • Monk seals exist in three species: the Mediterranean monk seal, the Hawaiian monk seal, and the Caribbean monk seal, which became extinct in the 20th century.
  • Monk seals are the only earless seals found in tropical climates.
  • The Mediterranean monk seal is believed to have the shortest hair of any pinniped.
  • Mediterranean monk seals swim so agile swimmers that they are able to outmaneuver a shark.
  • Mediterranean monk seals consume up to 3 kg of food per day.
  • Mediterranean monk seals have no natural predators.

References

1. Mediterranean Monk Seal on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_monk_seal
2. Mediterranean Monk Seal on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/13653/117647375

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