The monk seal
species, scientifically known as Monachus schauinslandi may have gotten its
common name (Monk Seal) from the fact that its round head covered in short hair
gives it a Friar Tuck - like appearance, or just from the fact that it lives a
"monk like" existence. The Hawaiian Monk Seal lives about 25 to 30 years.
Females
grow a bit
larger than males and have more variation in weight. Adult females range
between seven and eight feet at maturity. Newborn pups are 30 to 40 inches
in length,
and weigh 30 to 40 pounds. Adult males weigh 300 to 400 pounds,
while females weigh 400 to 600 pounds. This species is endangered, and the
only other monk seal species still left is the Mediterranean Monk Seal.
The other species, the Caribbean Monk Seal is already extinct. In the
1900s, the monk seal was near extinction, but the number of them slowly
increased when they were fully protected. The Hawaiian Monk Seal is
endangered because of the poisonous fish they eat,
predators (like sharks), and fishing nets. Fishermen kill seals because
they destroy their nets, and monk seals can drown if they get tangled up in
nets. There are many reasons that the Hawaiian Monk Seal is endangered,
and we should all take steps to help save it.
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