Neomonachus

The genus Neomonachus is a small but important group of seals that includes two species of warm-water monk seals: the Hawaiian monk seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi) and the now-extinct Caribbean monk seal (Neomonachus tropicalis). These seals are unique in the seal world because they live in tropical waters rather than cold, polar regions. Unlike their blubbery, ice-dwelling cousins, Neomonachus species evolved to thrive on sandy beaches, coral reefs, and warm coastal waters — and they are among the few seal species found in such environments.

The Hawaiian monk seal is now the only living member of this genus and is one of the most endangered marine mammals in the world. With its sleek, torpedo-shaped body, big dark eyes, and short flippers, it is built for life in the water but still relies heavily on land to rest, molt, and raise its pups. Monk seals are solitary and quiet, often hauling out alone on remote beaches or sandbars in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. They feed mainly on fish, squid, and crustaceans, diving hundreds of feet deep to hunt for food.

One of the saddest stories tied to Neomonachus is that of the Caribbean monk seal, which was officially declared extinct in 2008. Once found throughout the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, it was hunted heavily for its oil and meat starting in the 1400s. The last confirmed sighting was in the 1950s, and despite searches, it has never been seen again. Its extinction was the first recorded of a modern seal species due to human activity.