Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus) - Wiki Mediterranean
Monk Seal From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Photo] The
Natural history museum in Milan, Italy. Diorama with a Monachus
monachus (Mediterranean Monk seal). Picture by Giovanni
Dall'Orto (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:G.dallorto),
April 22 2007. The Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus)
is believed to be the world's rarest pinniped and one of the
most endangered mammals of the world. This species of monk seal
grows from approximately 80 cm long at birth to an average of
2.40 m in adults. The latter weigh up to 320 kg, the females
being slightly smaller than the males. Their fur is black
(males) or brown to dark grey (females) with a paler belly which
is close to white in males. Pups are mostly born in autumn,
entering the water two weeks afterwards, and are weaned at
around 18 weeks of age. They are born with black natal fur,
often with a white patch beneath. The shape of these patches can
be used to identify individuals. Repro