Mammal · GBIF taxon 2434779
Mediterranean Monk Seal
Monachus monachusMediterranean monk seals are robust dark gray to brown seals with rounded heads, broad muzzles, and short foreflippers. They rest on isolated beaches or inside coastal caves and forage alone across nearshore and deeper water.
monk sealmarine mammalcoastal cave
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- fish
- octopuses
- squid
Predators
- large sharks
- orcas
- humans
ThreatsFishing-gear entanglement, deliberate killing, cave disturbance, pollution, disease, and habitat loss
HabitatsRocky coasts, marine caves, secluded beaches, continental shelves, and open sea
Life spanOften twenty to thirty years, with reproductive maturity reached after several years
Classification
- FamilyPhocidae
- SpeciesMonachus monachus
Native
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- A disturbed seal can move quickly and inflict a serious bite; never approach on land or water.
- Why it is dangerous
- A large stressed seal can lunge, bite deeply, or collide with a nearby swimmer or boat.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Confirm a robust true seal with a rounded head, broad muzzle, and no external ear flaps.
- What to do
- Do not touch, feed, surround, or drive it toward water; contact trained marine-wildlife responders.
- What to notice
- Document the rounded head, broad muzzle, and pale underside from a distance without approaching for detail.
- Support conservation
- Leave the area quietly, keep vessels and people back, and share precise coordinates only with conservation authorities.
Responsible observation
- Observe: Use distant optics and leave the seal an unobstructed route between shore and sea.
- Protect: Never enter an occupied cave or disclose a resting or nursery location.
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