Monk Seal

The Monk Seal belongs to the family Phocidae. The Monk Seal is the only earless seal that inhabits tropical waters. There are 3 subspecies of monk seals; Hawaiian, Mediterranean and Caribbean (the Caribbean monk seal has been extinct since the 20th century). Both species that are living look very similar. Monk seals have a slender type of body, making them very agile in the water. They exhibit sexual dimorphism, in that the males are slightly bigger than the females (about an average of 8ft. and 500 lbs.). Both species of Monk seals have a short snout that is broad and flat with defined nostrils. What the difference is, the Hawaiian monk's nostrils face forward but the Caribbean monk's nostrils face upward. Monk seals are polygynous with groups consisting of one male and multiple females. That one male lives and mates with the females in his harem. The female monk's in each group will only mate with that one male.

The Hawaiian Monk is highly protected in Hawaii. They have the largest marine protection. In 2006, the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument was created. This incorporated the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, the HINWR, and the Battle of Midway National Memorial. In the video you will see they have signs and ropes up to ensure they are not bothered when they are resting.

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