| Nature - Wildlife |
| Mediterranean Monk Seal |
Classification and names
Order: Carnivora, Family: Phocidae, Subfamily: Monachinae
Other and local names:
In French/Français: Phoque moine, Phoque-moine méditerranéen
In Spanish/Español: Foca monje, Foca monje del Mediterráneo
In German/Deutsch: Mittelmeer Mönchsrobbe, Mönchsrobbe
In Dutch/Nederlands: monniksrob
Description
Robust true seal with long body, short flippers, proportionaly small head and
wide muzzle.
Colour: colour of back varies: usually dark brown
or black, but light grey also occurs. Belly usually lighter, white or light
grey. Pups have a black, woolly coat and white or yellow belly. Pups molt at
4-6 weeks and become silvery grey which gradually darkens later.
Length: adults 2.4 m, new-borns 80-110 cm
Weight: females 300 kg, males 315 kg, new-borns 15-24
kg.
Distribution
In the past throughout the Mediterranean Sea (and adjoining seas), Black Sea
and Atlantic Ocean from northwestern African coast (as far south as Senegal)
to Atlantic islands as far west as the Azores. Now extinct in majority of its
former range.
Half of the remaining Mediterranean Monk Seals live around Greece (Aegean and
Ionian Seas). Some small, scattered populations can be found in the Mediterranean
Sea and adjoining seas, Black Sea and NW-Africa.
Migration: Stays in same area and do not migrate over
large distances.
Habitat
Feeds in shallow subtropical and tropical coastal waters. Rests on pebble or
sand beaches. Due to human disturbance now prefers such beaches in caves with
underwater entrances.
Food
Feeds in shallow coastal water and eats mainly a wide variety of fish and cephalopods,
but also crustaceans.
Behaviour & Reproduction
Sociability: colony consists of up to 20 seals. Solitary
on land.
Vocalising: communicate with high pitched sounds
Mobility: good divers and swimmers, dive up to 100
m
Specifics: females give birth and wean pups in caves,
probably due to disturbance by humans. In the past this was done on sand or
pebble beaches. Mating in water
Sexual maturity: 4-6 years
Reproduction capacity: time between births 13 months
Reproduction period: gestation 9-11 months; pups born
year round, but peak in September-October
Nursing period: weaning (sources vary): 6-8 weeks
or 16-17 weeks. Pups can swim at two weeks. Mother stays uninterrupted with
pup 6 weeks. Pup may stay with mother 3 years.
Life span: 20-30 years (up to 44 years).
Predation and competition
Man is the major predator and competitor. Possible other predators are orcas
and sharks.
Threats
In the past seals were hunted for their skin and various body parts. Now the
main threat is deliberate killing by fishermen due to competition. Another major
threat is that the remaining populations are small and scattered.
Other threats include: loss of habitat, accidental entanglement in fishing gear,
reduction of food availability, pollution, disturbance, boat traffic and diseases.
In 1997 more than 100 Monk Seals along the Saharan coast died due to a toxic
algal bloom and a viral infection (morbillivirus).
Protection
The Mediterranean Monk seal is a critically endangered species and is legally
protected by:
Recently some governments have taken actions to protect the remaining Mediterraean Monk Seal, e.g. the creation of National Marine Park of Alonnissos Northern Sporades in Greece.
Numbers
Current estimates vary from 300-500 Monk Seals. Half of these live around Greece
and the rest are spread out in small populations in the Mediterranean and adjoining
seas, Black Sea and a small isolated population in the Atlantic Ocean near northwestern
Africa.
The populations have decreased considerably the past 20 years and the Mediterranean
Monk Seal is the most endangered pinniped (seal) species in the world.
Sources & further reading:
P.J.H. Reijnders et al., Status of Pinnipeds relevant to the European Union,
IBN
Scientific Contributions 8, Wageningen 1997.
The Atlas of European Mammals. T & D Poyser Natural History.
SeaLife - A Complete Guide to the Marine Environment. Pica Press / GMB Uitgeverij