Hawaiian Monk Seal
Hawaiian monk seals forage across deep reefs but spend roughly a third of their time ashore, where undisturbed rest is essential.
Artwork inspired by Reuben Tam
Hawaiian monk seals occur nowhere else. They eat reef fish, octopus, eels, crustaceans, and other prey, sometimes diving far beyond shallow coral habitat. On land they sleep, molt, nurse pups, and recover between foraging trips.
A seal on a beach is usually not stranded. Trained responders may establish a marked viewing perimeter; stay behind it, keep dogs away, and give mothers and pups exceptional space. Entanglement, hook injury, disease, disturbance, and marine debris remain serious threats, so report concerns rather than intervening.
- Range
- Hawaiian archipelago only
- Rest
- About one-third of time ashore
- Protection
- Endangered marine mammal
Quick guide
- Pause
- A resting seal needs space, not rescue.
- Report
- Use the statewide marine wildlife hotline for concerns.
Share a beach with a monk seal
- Shape
- Smooth torpedo body lacks an external ear flap.
- Posture
- Rear flippers trail together rather than rotate beneath the body.
- Distance
- Honor ropes, signs, volunteers, and any greater distance the seal requests.
- Behavior
- Yawning, looking repeatedly, or moving away signals disturbance.
Good to know
Healthy seals can sleep motionless for long periods. Do not pour water on one, push it toward the ocean, or crowd it for signs of breathing; disturbance wastes needed rest.
Notice these
- No external ears
- Smooth gray-brown body
- Paired rear flippers