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The Hawaiian monk seal (monachus schauinslandi) is one of the rarest marine mammals in the world. It is endemic (found no where else) to Hawai'i and is seen swimming in Hawai'i's warm, clear, blue water. Ancient Hawaiians named the seal Ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua, which means "dog that runs in rough waters." It is the only endemic (found only in Hawaii), endangered mammal in Hawai'i. There are only 7,000 to 10,000 monk seals left in the whole world. They are endangered because of these reasons: getting caught in nets, eating rubbish from the ocean that causes starvation, loss of habitat, and attacks from predators such as sharks. Another reason they are endangered is because of the behavior called "mobbing." Some males are very aggressive and attack the females and the pups.

Adult monk seals measure about 7 feet in length and weigh between 400 and 600 pounds, and the females are often larger than males. Hawaiian monk seals have a maximum life span of 30 years. The survival rate of pups is very high compared to that of other seals. Monk seal pups are born as black as tar and turn brownish as they get older. Their main food is reef fish. Other foods they like to eat are squid, octopus, seaweed, kelp, and various types of crustaceans. It is hard for them to move around on the ground because of their bulk. They just flop about.