Hawaiian Monk Seal
Threatened and Endangered
Description
-special body covering includes gray skin with silver-gray underparts
-can grow up to 7 ft and weigh 600 lbs
-unusual characteristics include hauling onto and staying on sand.
(WEC)
Food Chain
-prey mostly in water, sometimes on land
-omnivore
-predator to fish and crustaceans
-prey to whales and sharks
(MMC) (WEC)
Habitat
-prefer to stay on land
-can survive on both land and ocean
(WEC)
Adaptations
-strong teeth for if they start a fight
-to get food, the seal has powerful teeth that can crush a shell of an oyster and fins that help them chase after the prey
(MMC)
Critical Info/ Reason for endangerment
-government made it illegal to hunt these seals, taking away their main cause for decrease in population
(MMC) (WEC)
Cites
"Hawaiian monk seal underwater." photo pin. N.p.. Web. 22 Apr 2013. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/oleswerdlow/2811867737/>.
"crustaceans and fish." photo pin. N.p.. Web. 22 Apr 2013. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/cameliatwu/8587651455/>.
"seal fight." photo pin. N.p.. Web. 22 Apr 2013. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/
Russo, Brian. "Benny." Flickr-Photo Sharing. N.p.. Web. 9 Apr 2013. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/w0lfie/5799913496/>.
"Save the Hawaiian Monk Seal." The Marine Mammal Center. N.p.. Web. 9 Apr 2013. <http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/Get-Involved/awareness-campaigns/save-the-hawaiian-monk-seal.html>.