llio-holo-i-ka-uaua

Hawaiian Monk Seal

The Hawaiian Monk Seal natively known as ‘llio-holo-i-ka-uaua (dog that runs in rough water) lives within the waters of the Northwestern Hawaiian islands. Most seals live in frigid cold climate areas but the Hawaiian Monk seal is a rare exception that is only found in the United States, specifically the Hawaiian Islands. These seals can reach up to 7 feet long and weigh between 400 and 600 pounds. Their life expectancy is between 25-30 years but their species has been around for approximately 13 million years, out dating some Hawaiian Islands. Hawaiian Monk Seals spend most of their time swimming through coral reef diving for a diet of fish, lobster, octopus and eel.
The monk seals do not have any special adaptations to adjust to warmer weather which leads them to rest during the day on the sand and in shallow lagoons to beat the heat. Their bodies are sleek and hydrodynamic which makes them quick and agile swimmers. The front limbs of the body with five digits are smaller then the back limbs but both are
he monk seals do not have any special adaptations to adjust to warmer weather which leads them to rest during the day on the sand and in shallow lagoons to beat the heat. Their bodies are sleek and hydrodynamic which makes them quick and agile swimmers.

The front limbs of the body with five digits are smaller then the back limbs but both are flipper-like and move in such a way to propel the seals through the water. Although their hind limbs do not turn forward they wiggle themselves along the beach. The color of a Hawaiian Monk Seal can range between dark grey, brown and dark silver. Most male seals molt (change coats) yearly while female seals molt after weaning their pups.
The monk seals do not have any special adaptations to adjust to warmer weather which leads them to rest during the day on the sand and in shallow lagoons to beat the heat. Their bodies are sleek and hydrodynamic which makes them quick and agile swimmers. The front limbs of the body with five digits are smaller then the back limbs but both are flipper-like and move in such a way to propel the seals through the water. Although their hind limbs do not turn forward they wiggle themselves along the beach. The color of a Hawaiian Monk Seal can range between dark grey, brown and dark silver. Most male seals molt (change coats) yearly while female seals molt after weaning their pups.

Between the months of May and June female seals will give birth on the sand to a single pup. A mother seal will travel with their pup up till six weeks after birth. During the duration of this time period the mother seal does not eat but lives off of fat stored on their bodies therefore causing a rapid weight loss of up to hundreds of pounds, while the pup feeds on a diet of rich fat milk produced by the mother.

The Hawaiian Monk seal is the last of the monk seals to still exist after the extinction of the Caribbean Monk Seals and Mediterranean Monk Seals. On November 23, 1976 the Hawaiian Monk Seals became listed as an endangered species and is protected under the Endangered Species Act. The population of the Hawaiian Monk Seal is at a dangerously low estimation of 1300 seal left.