Monk seal

/mˈʌnk sˈiːl/

Monk seal

a group of marine mammals that lack external ear flaps and have shorter front flippers than hind flippers. They typically inhabit cold waters in the Arctic, Antarctic, and other regions.

What is a "monk seal"?

The monk seal is a type of seal that belongs to the family Phocidae and is found in the Mediterranean Sea and the Hawaiian Islands. They are known for their round, robust bodies covered in a short, dense coat of fur that can range in color from light gray to brown. Monk seals have distinctively large eyes and whiskers, which are used for sensing their surroundings and finding prey. They are known for their solitary and elusive nature, often resting on sandy beaches or rocky shores during the day and hunting for fish and other marine creatures at night. Monk seals are considered endangered or critically endangered due to habitat loss, hunting, and other human activities, and conservation efforts are underway to protect and preserve their populations.

Examples

1. Even marine mammals like the endangered Hawaiian monk seal get in on the deep reef action, since these habitats are full of their preferred prey.

2. The cluster of small islands that comprise French Frigate Shoals are important breeding grounds for Hawaiian monk seals.

3. And of course, animals such as the monk seal are surrounded by our debris.

4. There are around 1400 Hawaiian monk seals left in the entire world so a hit to one of their main breeding grounds could spell disaster for the species.