Did you know that Hawaiian Monk Seals are often referred to as “living fossils”? This is because they have a unique evolutionary lineage that diverged from their closest relatives around 15 million years ago.
Hawaiian monk seals are among the rarest marine mammals globally. As members of the “true seal” family (Phocidae), they are one of only two surviving monk seal species, the other being the Mediterranean monk seal. A third species, the Caribbean monk seal, is now extinct.
Monk seals are known to forage at depths exceeding 1,000 feet (330 meters), where they hunt eels and other bottom-dwelling organisms. Their diet varies depending on location, sex, and age. Typically, adults are nocturnal hunters, while juveniles tend to hunt during the day, targeting species that conceal themselves in the sand or under rocks. Monk seals also venture just beyond the immediate shoreline to hunt in waters ranging from 60 to 300 feet (18 to 90 meters) deep.
Hawaiian monk seals utilize the sunny, sandy beaches of Maui for resting, mating, and nurturing their young. Since infant monk pups are initially unable to swim, they spend significant time onshore until they are sufficiently robust to venture into the ocean.
Monk seals’ foraging efforts are closely tied to ocean patterns. In years when these patterns shift northward away from the islands, the survival rates of young seals can decrease due to warming ocean temperatures.
Today, Hawaiian monk seals are classified as endangered. Despite numerous conservation efforts, their population has declined by more than ten percent annually since 1989.
The monk seal is named for its skin folds, which resemble a monk’s cowl, and its tendency to be seen alone or in small groups. Hawaiians refer to the seal as ‘Ilio holo I ka uaua, meaning “dog that runs in rough water.”
Fun Facts About the Hawaiian Monk Seal:
- The Hawaiian Monk Seal is one of the most endangered species in the world
- They are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and exist nowhere else in the world
- They have a habitat covers 1,240 miles from the Northwest Hawaiian Islands to the main Hawaiian Islands
- Their Hawaiian name is ‘Ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua, which translates to dog running in the rough seas
- Monk Seals are the oldest species of seals on the planet
- The Hawaiian Monk Seal is the official state mammal of Hawaii
- Monk Seals are Protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act
Life Expectancy: 25 – 30 years
Length: 5 – 7 feet
Weight: 400 – 600 pounds (females are slightly larger than males)
Appearance: Gray or brown with colored backs with lighter coloration on their undersides.
