Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 133, January 2016, pp. 1-29. | Page 3

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Subfamily: Monachinae
Genus: Monachus
Species: Monachus monachus Hermann, 1779

Physical Appearance
This species of monk seal grows from approximately 80 cm long at birth up to an
average of 2.4 m (7.95 feet) as adults. Males weigh an average of 315 kg (695 lbs)
and females weigh 300 kg (660 lbs), overall weigh ranging from 240 to 400 kg
(530–880 lbs). They are thought to live up to 45 years old; the average life span is
thought to be 20 to 25 years old and reproductive maturity is reached at around
age four (Wikipedia).
The monk seals' pups are about a meter long and weigh around 15–18 kilograms,
their skin being covered by 1–1.5 centimeter-long, dark brown to black hair. On
their bellies, there is a white stripe, which differs in color between the two sexes.
This hair is replaced after six to eight weeks by the usual short hair adults carry
(Wikipedia).
Pregnant Mediterranean monk seals typically use inaccessible undersea caves
while giving birth, though historical descriptions show they used open beaches
until the 18th century. There are eight pairs of teeth in both jaws (Wikipedia).
Believed to have the shortest hair of any pinniped, the Mediterranean monk seal
fur is black (