Hawaiian monk seals are “generalist” feeders, which means they eat a wide variety of foods depending on what’s available. They eat many types of common fishes, squids, octopuses, eels, and crustaceans (crabs, shrimps, and lobsters).
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What kills Hawaiian monk seals?
Sharks are natural predators of Hawaiian monk seals, but during one unusual period, shark attacks at the French Frigate Shoals shot up, killing nearly a quarter of all pups born between 1997 and 2010. This kind of predation continues to be a concern.
What is a Hawaiian monk seals predator?
Tiger sharks often prey upon Hawaiian monk seals as evidenced by shark bite wounds present on many monk seals. Other shark predators include gray reef and white-tipped reef sharks.
What do you do if you see a Hawaiian monk seal?
To report a sighting, call NOAA Fisheries Monk Seal Hotline (808) 651-7668 or email [email protected]. If you see an injured or entangled animal, do not approach it, instead call 888-256-9840.
Are Hawaiian monk seals friendly?
Fact: Most monk seals are not aggressive toward people, unless they feel threatened (such as when a person gets between a mother seal and her pup).Normal “wild” monk seals almost never attack or seek interactions with humans. There have been only a few known cases of aggressive interactions between seals and people.
What does a seal eat?
fish
Varied diets
All seals eat other animals, and most rely on fish caught out at sea. But a few species break the mold. For instance, leopard seals make a living hunting down penguins and even other seals.
Do monk seals have fur?
The seals are born with a black lanugo—a fur coat found on some infant mammals.They shed this as they grow, and as adults, they have dark gray backs and light-colored bellies. Hawaiian monk seals are 7 to 7.5 feet (2.1 to 2.2 meters) in length, with females larger than males.
Do monk seals eat turtles?
Monk seals primarily feed on squid, octopus, and fish. Even though monk seals can dive to 1,500 ft.A handful of monk seals have been found feeding on lobsters, and while no monk seals have been known to dine on sea turtles, on one of our paddling tours we encountered a monk seal that was aggressively handling a honu.
What do baby monk seals eat?
Behavior and Diet
Hawaiian monk seals are “generalist” feeders, which means they eat a wide variety of foods depending on what’s available. They eat many types of common fishes, squids, octopuses, eels, and crustaceans (crabs, shrimps, and lobsters).
Are Hawaiian monk seals carnivores?
Omnivorous
How far do you have to stay away from a monk seal?
50 feet
According to NOAA guidelines, people should view monk seals from a distance of 50 feet. In Hawaii, residents are fierce protectors of their island and its resources, said Hawaiian monk seal researcher Mark Sullivan, who wanted to remind people that “others are watching.”
How often do monk seals reproduce?
BREEDING: Monk seal mating behavior is rarely observed; however, it is known that they mate at sea. After mating, pregnant females haul out on shore to give birth, generally to a single pup. Birthing takes place at various times of the year, peaking in March and April. Pups are nursed for five to six weeks.
Is it illegal to touch a seal in Hawaii?
Hawaiian monk seals are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act, making it illegal to touch, harass, injure or kill the animals.
Do monk seals have teeth?
The monk seal’s physique is ideal for hunting its prey: fish, lobster, octopus and squid in deep water coral beds.The Hawaiian monk seal has a relatively small, flat head with large black eyes, eight pairs of teeth, and short snouts with the nostril on top of the snout and vibrissae on each side.
Do monk seals bite?
“Seals are wild animals that can move very quickly in the water,” said Kekoa Kaluhiwa, DLNR first deputy director. “Mother seal RH58, also known as Rocky, has already demonstrated natural protective behavior toward her pup when she recently charged a male seal. She may bite if she perceives a threat.”
Do seals live in warm water?
Seals live in every ocean and survive in different water temperatures. Seals are able to keep themselves warm in extremely cold ocean waters because of the way their bodies are designed.A seal’s body fat, skin, fur and circulatory system helps to regulate body temperature so it can survive in cold waters.
Do seals eat meat?
Seals are carnivorous meaning their diet is composed of meat. Their diet includes mainly fish. They also eat penguins, octopuses, lobsters, salmons, eels, mackerel, and squids.
Do seals eat eggs?
Seals also enjoy eating seabirds. They will catch birds that they find drifting on the sea and they also enjoy visiting bird nests to consume chicks or eggs. Seals usually feed on birds they find living near the sea. Seals often catch and eat penguins but will also eat seagulls and other birds that hunt for fish.
Do seals eat ducks?
Harbor seals have been recorded to attack, kill and eat several kinds of ducks.
What do Mediterranean monk seals eat?
Generally, Mediterranean monk seals are thought to dive and feed in shallow, nearshore waters. Mediterranean monk seals are considered opportunistic predators and feed on a variety of prey including bony fishes, cephalopods (mainly the common octopus Octopus vulgaris), and crustaceans.
What sound does a monk seal make?
Hawaiian monk seals vocalize throughout their life. Pups utter “mwaa, mwaa, mwaa” and, when disturbed, an explosive “aaah” or “gaah.” An alarmed adult sound consists of a “bubbling” that originates deep in the throat (with the mouth either open or closed). The bubbling resembles that of water being poured from a jug.
