Hawaiian Monk Seal

While visting one of the many beaches on O`ahu, one might be lucky to see `ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua (the name used to describe the Hawaiian monk seal. It means “the dog that runs in the rough (seas). Monk seals are totally protected and are one of the most endagered of all seals. It is illegal to kill,capture, and even harass a monk seal. Most of the monk seals inhabit the tiny islands and atolls in the northwest Hawaiian island chain. Monk seals have recently been making their appearance on the main Hawaiian islands.

The life expectancy of a Hawaiian monk seal is 25 to 30 yrs. The average weight is 300-400 pounds for adult males and 400-600 pounds for females. Adult males measure approximately 7 feet,and females between 7-8 feet. Newborn pups are 30-40 pouns and 30-40 inches in length.

Common food for monk seals are spiny lobsters, eels, flatfish, small reef fish, larval fish, and octopus. Monk seals eat as much as 10% of their body weight in a day. They can spend many days at sea before returning to the shore of the Hawaiian islands. They spend much of their daylight hours sleeping. When on land, they may look lathargic,sick or even dead. They are getting rest and shoud not be disturbed or approached. If they are approached a monk seal can raise their body’s up off the sand and lunge forward and deliver a deadly bite

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