Home › Mammalia › Phocidae › Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus)
Monachus
IUCN STATUS
Endangered
CONSERVATION STATUS
Endangered
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Mediterranean
DIET
Carnivorous
HABITAT
Coastal caves
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Carnivora
FAMILY
Phocidae
GENUS
Monachus
📋 Description
SIZE
2-3 m body, 250-400 kg
COLORATION
Dark brown, white belly
ADAPTATIONS
Cave breeding, shy
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Coastal caves
DIET
Carnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Mediterranean
REPRODUCTION
1 pup per year
DIET DETAILS
Fish
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Disturbance, fishing nets
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The Mediterranean monk seal is one of the rarest marine mammals and breeds in sea caves.
2
Only about 700 remain, mostly in Greece and Turkey.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Zakynthos Greece
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Extremely rare; look for on remote beaches in Greece/Turkey.
