Hawaiian Monk Seal - Last Monarchs

The Hawaiian Monk seal is a marine mammal endemic to the main Hawaiian Islands as well as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Their scientific name is Neomonachus schauinslandi, while Native Hawaiians would call them "'īlio holo i ka uaua", which means ʻdog that runs in rough waterʻ. These big guys have a life span is 25 to 30 years and can weigh up to 400 to 610lbs.
Unfortunately, the Hawaiian Monk Seals are endangered. Monk seals have been around for a very long time, they are the oldest species of seals on the planet. "They belong to the genus called Monachus and are one of three that belong to this genus family. The other two are Caribbean monk seal and Mediterranean monk seal. The Caribbean monk seal has been extinct since 1952." Mediterranean monk seals are more endangered than the Hawaiian monk seals, having only roughly 500 remaining compared to 1,400. 
Btw Hawaiian Monk Seals like to be isolated, hence the "monk" in their name. 

https://www.waikikiaquarium.org/experience/exhibits/hawaiian-monk-seal-habitat/
http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/education/marine-mammal-information/pinnipeds/hawaiian-monk-seal/
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hawaiian_monk_seal_at_French_Frigate_Shoals_07.jpg

Comments

  1. SteveOctober 13, 2018 at 4:42 PM

    Fascinating! They are marvelous to look at when you have a chance to spot one on the beach and I didn't know they lived that long. They also have patience of a saint. I've seen tourists flock around them, behind the barriers, and try to call them like their pet as they nap. Although, I've read stories where they've bitten of noses when trying to be kissed. As a fan of nature, I really enjoy your posts.

    ReplyDelete
  2. yuki komineOctober 13, 2018 at 10:35 PM

    HI Thank you for sharing a interesting blog. I really enjoyed reading your blog. I have never seen hawaiian monk seal, so i do want to see it even just for once.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownOctober 21, 2018 at 10:18 PM

    I've seen a few monk seals while surfing and we always make sure to keep an eye on them because I've heard that the can be aggressive and dangerous if threatened.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Brooke AritaOctober 21, 2018 at 10:37 PM

    Hello,
    It was really interesting reading this I never thought of thinking of the monk in their name meant something. I laughed when I realized that you said they like to be isolated. I know monk seals are endangered it always makes me sad to think about. I think its great you used your blog to educate people on an animal like this.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Humuhumunukunukuapua'a - State Fish with Ties Elsewhere

Image
Humuhumunukunukuapua'a (Rhinecanthus rectangulus) is a rectangular Reef triggerfish whose Hawaiian name means 'triggerfish with a snout like a pig'. This fish was considered a symbol of Hawaii and became a global sensation in 1933 when the song My Little Grass Shack hit the radios and movies. Although our State fish is indigenous (found in the Indo-Pacific), It was first declared the Hawaii State fish from 1985-1990. It was permanently declared Hawaii's State fish in 2006 by the Governor of Hawaii.  The Reef triggerfish is commonly found in captivity and when found in the wild, it is alone. It has teeth and a blue top lip.  As stated in its name, this fish has a snout like a pig and grunt (squeel) with fleeing from predators. The snout is used to blow water into the sand to find buried invertebrates for their food and other edible organisms. The triggerfish is considered aggressive and have been known to bite swimmers that are in their area.  The Reef trigger...
Read more

Nananana Makaki'i - Spiderman

Image
The Hawaiian Happy Face Spider (Theridion grallator) or in Hawaiian, nananana makaki'i is endemic to Hawai'i. It can be found on the islands of O'ahu, Moloka'i, Maui, and Big Island. The spider can differ in pattern from island to island depending on their diet but still maintains a "happy face" on its body which helps the spider camouflage against birds and other predators. You can find the spider in the rainforests of the islands beneath leaves of plants where it builds its webs and hunts for food at night.  https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/happyface_02 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theridion_grallator                                      https://www.flickr.com/photos/treevillage/8038460590
Read more