Hawaiian Monk Seal: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Seals and Sea Lions · day 1 of 7

Five facts

1. This is the only seal native to Hawaii. With the Hawaiian hoary bat, it is one of just two mammals found nowhere else but those islands.
2. Native Hawaiians call it the dog that runs in rough water. Its English name comes from the short hair on its head, thought to look like a monk's.
3. A monk seal can stay under for up to 20 minutes on one breath and go deeper than 550 m. Most of its dives are far shorter, about 6 minutes.
4. Pups drink milk for about six weeks and grow to 70 to 90 kg. Meanwhile their mother can lose as much as 140 kg.
5. Sun and seawater slowly turn its grey coat brown. Seals that spend long spells in the water can even grow algae and take on a green tint.

The quiz

1. Which other mammal is found only in Hawaii, like the monk seal?

• The Hawaiian hoary bat (correct)
• The Hawaiian fox
• The Hawaiian squirrel
• The Hawaiian deer

The seal and the Hawaiian hoary bat are the two mammals endemic to the islands.

2. What do native Hawaiians call this seal?

• The fish that sleeps on sand
• The dog that runs in rough water (correct)
• The cat of the reef
• The singer of the waves

Its Hawaiian name means dog that runs in rough water.

3. How long can a Hawaiian monk seal hold its breath?

• Up to 2 minutes
• Up to 2 hours
• Up to 5 minutes
• Up to 20 minutes (correct)

It can stay under for up to 20 minutes, though most dives last about 6.

4. What happens to a mother monk seal while her pup drinks her milk?

• She gains weight
• She can lose up to 140 kg (correct)
• She changes colour to white
• She leaves to hunt every day

The pup grows fast while the mother loses up to 140 kg.

5. Why do some monk seals look green?

• They eat green seaweed
• They roll in grass
• Algae grows on their coat (correct)
• They are born green

Long spells in the water let algae grow on them, giving a green tint.

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