Hawaiian Monk Seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi)

Meet the Hawaiian monk seal, one of the most endangered kind of seal in the world. About 1,400 monk seals live around the Hawaiian Islands. A bit of food news is the crucial conservation efforts helped slow the population decline and now is showing a slow increase.

Monk seals search for fish, octopus, squid, eels, lobsters, crabs, and shrimp under rocks and in the sand. Like other seals, monk seals are solitary. Though they might nap on the same sandy beach with other monk seals without getting too close.

Many might recognize the beautiful newborn harp seal pup from its all white coat. Few might recognize the equally adorable newborn Hawaiian monk seal’s pup’s and its black coat.