Monk Seals | Hawaiian Marine Life

Park Hours
9 AM - 5 PM

Park Hours 9 AM - 5 PM

Hawaiian Monk Seal

Hawaiian Monk seal

The Hawaiian monk seal is one of the rarest marine mammals in the world. Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, less than 1,100 Hawaiian monk seals are left on earth. Their Hawaiian name ‘ilioholoikauaua means “dog that runs in rough seas.”

 

Although Hawaiian monk seals spend most of their time at sea, it’s common to see them sprawled out on sandy shorelines during the day, especially while molting. Their diet consists of fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans and they typically hunt in water less than 200 feet in depth, while some have been known to forage at depths of more than 1,000 feet.

 

Adults are silvery-dark grey with a lighter underside and newborns are black in coloration. Female Hawaiian monk seals typically have a gestation period of about 10-11 months, and usually give birth in late March or early April. They prefer sandy, protected beaches when pupping, and mother seals will care for their pups for roughly 4-6 weeks, all while fasting and remaining on land. After this period, the mother abandons her pups and returns to the sea.

Did you know?

Hawaiian monk seals can weigh anywhere from 400-600 pounds and reach lengths of about 6-7 feet.

In the 19th century, the Hawaiian monk seal was hunted to the brink of extinction. Now critically endangered, this species still faces many threats resulting in a decline of species. Most of the population exists in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI), but a sub-population has resided in the main Hawaiian Islands. Some of the major threats to this seal include food limitation in the NWHI, entanglement in marine debris, human interaction (which includes by-catch in fishing gear), exposure to disease, habitat loss, and male aggression towards females.


Many conservation efforts have been implemented in hopes of protecting this critically endangered species. Through research and education, we can become more aware of the challenges this beautiful marine mammal faces and help to reduce the human impact on the Hawaiian monk seal in the Hawaiian Islands.


Maui Ocean Center is respectfully in compliance with a County of Maui ordinance prohibiting the exhibit of cetaceans (marine mammals including whales, dolphins, and Hawaiian monk seals). Visit us to learn about these animals through interpretive displays in the Marine Mammal Discovery Center, naturalist presentations, and volunteers from organizations in Maui’s community.

Hawaiian Name: ̀‘ilioholoikauaua
Scientific Name: Neomonachus schauinslandii
Where to See: *Not on exhibit at Maui Ocean Center

share with friends

Discover More Maui Ocean Center marine life

Broad Stingray

The broad stingray is found only in Hawaiʻi and Taiwan. Most researchers agree their populations are plentiful. They are one of four species known to inhabit Hawaiian waters that belong to the suborder elasmobranchs (cartilaginous fishes including sharks, skates, and rays).

Whitetip Reef Shark

The whitetip reef shark is found throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans and is associated with the coral reef environment. In the Hawaiian Islands, they can be observed resting in caves or under ledges since they are the only shark in Hawaiian waters with the ability to stop swimming and rest for long periods at a time, making them more commonly observed by divers. These sharks are gray in coloration and have slightly flat heads with distinct white tips on the tops of the first and second dorsal and tail fins.

Cone Snail

The cone snail is one of the largest marine snail families represented in the Hawaiian Islands. Displaying beautiful patterns and colors, they are quite popular with collectors. They are typically active at night, and many spend a great deal of time buried under sand or hiding under plate corals. Cone snail habitats vary for different species; some prefer mangroves or sandy banks, while others prefer much deeper waters to search for other snails and fish. Hawaiʻi has 34 species of cones, with a few species being endemic to the islands.