Description Monk seal

hawaiian monk seal swimming (note red eyes due red-eye effect)

monk seals part of family phocidae (earless seals), members of characterized lack of external ears, inability rotate hind flippers under body, , shed hair , outer layer of skin in annual molt. monk seals whole vary minutely in size, adults measuring on average 8 feet (2.4 m) , 500 pounds (230 kg). exhibit sexual dimorphism, in males larger females, exception of hawaiian monk seal females larger. white belly, gray coat, , slender physique distinguish harbor seal (phoca vitulina), earless seal. elephant seals, shed hair , outer layer of skin in annual molt.

the mediterranean monk seal has short, broad, , flat snout, pronounced, long nostrils face upwards. flippers relatively short, small slender claws. monk seal’s physique ideally suited hunting prey: fish, octopus, lobster, , squid in deep water coral beds. fur coats of males black, , brown or dark gray in females. pups 3.3 feet (1 m) long , weigh around 33–40 pounds (15–18 kg), skin being covered 0.4-to-0.6-inch (1 1.5 cm) fur, dark brown or black. on bellies, there white stripe, differs in color between 2 sexes. hair replaced after 6 8 weeks usual short hair adults carry.

mediterranean monk seal skeleton

the hawaiian monk seal (whose hawaiian name means dog runs in rough waters ) has short, broad, , flat snout, long nostrils face forward. hawaiian monk seal has relatively small, flat head large black eyes, 8 pairs of teeth, , short snout nostrils on top of snout , vibrissae on each side. nostrils small vertical slits close when seal dives underwater. additionally, slender, torpedo-shaped body , hind flippers allow them agile swimmers. adult males 300 400 pounds (140 180 kg) in weight , 7 feet (2.1 m) in length while adult females tend be, on average, larger, @ 400 600 pounds (180 270 kg) , 8 feet (2.4 m) in length. when monk seal pups born, average 30 40 pounds (14 18 kg) , 40 inches (1.0 m) in length. nurse approximately 6 weeks, grow considerably, weighing between 150 200 pounds (68 91 kg) time weaned, while mother loses 300 pounds (140 kg).

caribbean monk seals had relatively large, long, robust body, grow 8 feet (2.4 m) in length , weighed 375 600 pounds (170 272 kg). males larger females, similar mediterranean monk seals. other monk seals species had distinctive head , face. head rounded extended broad muzzle. face had relatively large wide-spaced eyes, upward opening nostrils, , big whisker pads long light-colored , smooth whiskers. when compared body, animal s foreflippers relatively short little claws , hindflippers slender. coloration brownish and/or grayish, underside lighter dorsal area. adults darker more paler , yellowish younger seals. caribbean monk seals known have algae growing on pelage, giving them greenish appearance, similar hawaiian monk seals.