Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 85, January 2009, pp. 1-20. | Page 2

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Adult males are black with a white belly patch; adult females are generally brown or
grey with a lighter belly colouration. Other irregular light patches are not unusual,
mainly on the throats of males and on the backs of females; this is often due to scarring
sustained in social and mating interactions.
Adult Monachus monachus are robust, with short flippers, a long fusiform body, and a
proportionally small head. The head is wide and somewhat flat, with the eyes spaced
fairly widely. The muzzle is particularly wide, but compressed from top to bottom. The
nostrils are situated at the top of the muzzle. The vibrissae are smooth, females have 4
retractable teats. Coloration varies in low isolated sub populations. Most of the animals
are dark, brown. Some of the animals have a large white belly patch.
When born, pups measure 88-103 cm in length and weigh 15-20 kg. Unlike the now
extinct Caribbean monk seal and the Hawaiian monk seal, Mediterranean monk seal
pups are born with a white belly patch on the otherwise black to dark chocolate, woolly
coat.
Extirpated from much of its original habitat by human persecution and disturbance,
females now tend to give birth only in caves in remote areas, often along desolate, cliffbound coasts.
Males and females are thought to reach sexual maturity between 5 and 6 years, although
some females may mature as early as 4 years. Although pups may be born during any
part of the year, over most of the species‟ current distribution range, pupping takes place
in summer or autumn. Observations suggest that whelping is asynchronous in this
species and may take place year round. Gestation considered being 11 months.
Monk seal pups can swim and dive with ease by the time they are about two weeks old
and are weaned at about 16-17 weeks. Monk seals are mainly thought to feed in shallow
coastal waters for fishes like Sea Bream, Sea bass, Mullet, Bonito and cephalopods, such
as octopus and squid. Individuals are believed to live up to 20-30 years in the wild.

Status
The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) is one of the world‟s most
endangered marine mammals, with fewer than 500 individuals currently surviving.
The species is described as ”critically endangered” by the World Conservation Union
(IUCN) and is listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species (CITES). Other international legal mechanisms which recognise and
attempt to address the monk seal‟s critically endangered status include the Bonn
Convention (Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals), the
Bern Convention (Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural
Habitats), the Convention on Biological Diversity and the EU Habitats Directive.

Gazelle – Number 85 – January 2009