Sleeping Beauty Hawaiian Monk Seal
by Debra Banks
Title
Sleeping Beauty Hawaiian Monk Seal
Artist
Debra Banks
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
I was privileged to have seen this beautiful creature peacefully sleeping on Poipu Beach, Kauai.
Local volunteers had set up a protective area around her to keep people at a safe distance away so as not to disturb her. She had been tagged and we found out that she was almost 18 years old. I hope she lives for many more.
The official state mammal of Hawaii, the scientific name for the Hawaiian monk seal is Neomonachus schauinslandi. The Hawaiian name is “Ilio holo I ka uaua”, which translates to “dog that runs in rough water”.
In 2016, it was estimated there are 1,400 Hawaiian seals in existence.
Hawaiian monk seals are critically endangered, and one of only two remaining kinds of monk seals on Earth, along with the Mediterranean monk seal, whose population has fallen to just 600 individuals. There was once a Caribbean monk seal, but it is believed to be extinct since the 1950's.
The average lifespan of a Hawaiian monk seal is 25 to 30 years. Adult males grow to about 7 feet long and weigh between 300 and 400 pounds. Meanwhile, females can grow to 8 feet long and can weigh between 400 to 600 pounds. Hawaiian monk seals do not have external ears and they cannot rotate their hind flippers underneath their bodies.
Uploaded
February 26th, 2019
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Comments (58)
Luther Fine Art
Congratulations! Your wonderful art has been featured on the ABC Group home page from our themed week, R IS FOR REST, JANUARY 16, 2023- JANUARY 23, 2023. You are invited to add your wonderful art in the Features Archive 2023.
Robyn King
Congratulations your beautiful artwork is being featured in The World We See:-) Please take a moment to add your wonderful art to our archives in the message area and have a fantastic day!
Robyn King
Congratulations Debra your gorgeous artwork is being featured in 500 Views Share Group & Shared:-) Please take a moment to add your beautiful art to our archives in the message area and have a wonderful day!
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