Hawaiian monk seals are an endangered species endemic to the Hawaiian islands. There are currently about 1100 individuals remaining. The Hawaiian monk seal is the only species of seal native to Hawaii. The common name comes from it's resemblance to a monk, with short hair on its head. It is also a solitary animal. They spend the majority of their time hunting, eating and basking on sandy beaches. Adult males are usually about 300 to 400 pounds while adult females tend to be larger, about 400 to 600 pounds. Every year they experience a dramatic molt, where they shed their hair and outer layer of skin.
Hawaiian monk seals eat teleosts, cephalopods and crustaceans. Their predators are Tiger sharks and Galapagos sharks.
Hawaiian monk seals' breeding season lasts from August to December. They mate in the ocean. Each female over the age of four bears one pup on average. Birth occurs about nine months later in March and June on the beach. The pups are nursed for about six weeks, where the mother doesn't leave the pup or eat the entire time. After the six weeks the mother leaves the pup on its own to hunt in the sea.
photo courtesy http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/extinction-countdown/2009/03/25/four-seal-species-in-danger-of-slipping-away/
