Add Animal
    Mammals
    Mammals Birds Amphibians Reptiles Animals Ray-finned fishes Myxini – Hagfishes Petromyz' – Lampreys Sharks & rays Holocep' – Chimaeras Dipneusti – Lungfish Coelac' – Coelacanths Insecta – Insects / bugs Gastropoda – Snails & slugs Cephalopoda – Squids & octopuses Arachnida – Spiders & scorpions Malacostraca – Malacostracans Diplopoda – Millipedes Bivalvia – Marine molluscs Chilopoda – Centipedes Pycnogonida – Sea spiders Merostomata – Horseshoe crabs More Classes
    Filters

    Regions

    See AllSelect

    Habitat

    See AllSelect

    Mediterranean monk seal

      Saved In:

    The world’s rarest pinniped species; in 2015, it is estimated that less than 700 individuals survived in 3 to 4 isolated subpopulations

    Vasilis drosakis

    Mediterranean monk seals have small hairs covering their skin, males are black, and females are dark grey, while the fur on their bellies is in a lighter shade. Their snout is flat, broad, and short. They also have small claws on their relatively short flippers.

    They can forage at depths up to 250 m (820 ft) but tend to feed in shallow coastal waters. These seals are agile swimmers and can outmaneuver a shark. Therefore, they prefer hunting in wide-open spaces to take advantage of their speed. They are opportunistic predators and commonly feed on octopuses, eels, squids, and fishes.

    Distribution

    Country
    Population est.
    Status
    Year
    Comments
    Atlantic Ocean
    2015
    Mediterranean Sea
    350-450
    Official estimate
    EN
    2015
    Subpopulation
    Black sea
    2015
    Albania
    2015
    Possibly Extinct
    Algeria
    2015
    Presence Uncertain
    Bosnia And Herz.
    Official estimate
    EX
    Extinct 20th century
    Bulgaria
    Official estimate
    EX
    Last observed 1995
    Cape Verde
    2015
    Possibly Extinct, Origin Uncertain
    Croatia
    2015
    Cyprus
    2015
    Egypt
    2015
    Possibly Extinct
    France
    Official estimate
    EX
    Extinct 20th century
    France
    2015
    Possibly Extinct: Corsica
    Gambia
    2015
    Possibly Extinct, Origin Uncertain
    Georgia
    Official estimate
    EX
    Extinct locally, Origin Uncertain
    Greece
    300–400
    Official estimate
    EN
    2015
    Aegean Sea
    Israel
    2015
    First beached 2023
    Italy
    2015
    Possibly Extinct
    Lebanon
    2015
    Possibly Extinct
    Libya
    2015
    Possibly Extinct
    Malta
    Official estimate
    EX
    Extinct 1960s
    Mauritania
    2015
    Montenegro
    Official estimate
    EX
    Extinct 1970s
    Morocco
    2015
    Presence Uncertain
    Portugal
    Official estimate
    EX
    Extinct 20th century
    Portugal
    2015
    Madeira
    Romania
    Official estimate
    EX
    Extinct 20th century
    Russia
    Official estimate
    EX
    Extinct 20th century
    Senegal
    Official estimate
    EX
    Extinct 20th century
    Spain
    Official estimate
    EX
    Extinct 1980s
    Spain
    2015
    Possibly Extinct: Baleares
    Syria
    2015
    Possibly Extinct
    Tunisia
    2015
    Possibly Extinct
    Turkey
    100
    Official estimate
    EN
    2015
    Subpopulation
    Ukraine
    0
    Official estimate
    EX
    Extinct 20th centtury

    Anything we've missed?

    Help us improve this page by suggesting edits. Glory never dies!

    Suggest an edit

    Get to know me

    Terrestrial / Aquatic

    Altricial / Precocial

    Polygamous / Monogamous

    Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

    Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

    Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

    Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

    Migratory: Yes / No

    Domesticated: Yes / No

    Dangerous: Yes / No

    EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE
    Endangered(IUCN)
    World Population 600 – 700
    Added by BioDB
    Become a Patron

    Threats

    Habitat destruction / Climate change / Freshwater pollution / Marine pollution / Deforestation / Farming / Fishing practices / Poaching & wildlife trade / Invasive species / Parasites & diseases / Noise pollution / Light pollution

    My ID

    Scientific name: Monachus monachus

    Physical traits

    Length: 2.4 m (7.9 ft) Weight Male: 320 kg (710 pounds) Weight Female: 300 kg (660 pounds) Lifespan: 20 – 25 years Gestation: 11 months Offspring: 1 pup
    Habitats: Coastal Marine
    Regions: Atlantic Ocean
    Add to my list
      Saved In: