Biology

Anatomy

Picture (b) is the ventral view of the jaw anatomy of the Hawaiian Monk Seal.

Physiology

The official state mammal of Hawaii, the scientific name for the Hawaiian monk seal is Neomonachus schauinslandi. The Hawaiian name is "Ilio holo I ka uaua", which translates to "dog that runs in rough water".

Reproductive

Hawaiian monk seals give birth on sandy beaches surrounded by shallow water, and nurse for only 4-6 weeks (the mother fasts during this time, and can lose a lot of weight) before sending the pup off to live on their own.

References

Scheel, D.-M., Slater, G., Kolokotronis, S.-O., Potter, C., Rotstein, D., Tsangaras, K., Greenwood, A., & Helgen, K. M. (n.d.). Biogeography and taxonomy of extinct and endangered monk seals illuminated by ancient DNA and skull morphology. ZooKeys. Retrieved December 2, 2022, from https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/3807/

Google. (n.d.). Google search. Retrieved December 2, 2022, from https://www.google.com/search?q=anatomy%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bhawaiian%2Bmonk%2Bseal&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwim2f7g7dv7AhUwkGoFHUmZBJcQ_AUoAXoECAIQAw&biw=1390&bih=789&dpr=2

10 facts about the Hawaiian monk seal - hawaii ocean project: Maui whale watching tours: Dinner cruises. Hawaii Ocean Project | Maui Whale Watching Tours | Dinner Cruises. (2022, June 15). Retrieved December 2, 2022, from https://hawaiioceanproject.com/10-facts-about-the-hawaiian-monk-seal/

Home. Pacific Mammal Research PacMam. (n.d.). Retrieved December 2, 2022, from https://pacmam.org/wp/marine-mammal-highlights-monk-seals/