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Mediterranean Monk Seal

Mammals

The Mediterranean monk seal is a true seal in the family Phocidae and, as of 2026, survives in isolated subpopulations totaling an estimated 800 to 1,000 individuals across the Mediterranean, especially the Aegean Sea, the Madeira archipelago, and the Cabo Blanco area of the northeastern Atlantic spanning Mauritania and Western Sahara. It is believed to be the world's rarest pinniped species and the only living member of the genus Monachus, the family's other two monk seal species now placed in the genus Neomonachus. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Classification
Diet
Piscivore 1
System (Realm)
Marine 2
Relationship to People
Hunted or Fished 3
Living or Extinct
Yes 4
Scientific Name
Monachus monachus 4
Conservation Status
Vulnerable 5
Comparison
CITES Appendix
Appendix I 3
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Phocidae, Taxa
Source Wikidata: Monachus

In Biome

Marine, Biomes
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Monachus monachus (Animal Diversity Web)

In Ecosystem

Mediterranean Basin, Ecosystems
Source Wikidata: Aleppo Pine
Additional Source Mediterranean Basin (Wikipedia)Article text
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Africa

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Greece

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Morocco

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Portugal

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Ukraine

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sources
1. EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014)
2. GBIF Species API
GBIF Species APIView the Source
3. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Monachus monachus (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
  • Conservation Status: CITES
    CITES Appendix I
  • Economic Importance for Humans: Positive (hunted-fished)
    In the past the Mediterranean monk seal was killed for its skin and body parts, which were said to provide protection against a variety of medical problems
  • In Biome: Marine, Habitat Regions
    Habitat Regions temperate temperate saltwater or marine saltwater or marine
View the Source
4. Wikidata: Monachus
Wikidata
  • Statements section, conservation status (P141)
    IUCN Red List conservation status (Wikidata property P141): vulnerable.
  • Wikidata Q208549 (P225 taxon name)
  • Child Taxon Of: Phocidae, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
View the Source
5. Wikipedia: Mediterranean monk seal
Infobox: status
Quote, Infobox: status
VU
View the Source
Mediterranean monk seal (Wikipedia)
Infobox: status2
Quote, Infobox: status2
CITES_A1
View the Source
Mediterranean Basin (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIn Ecosystem: Mediterranean Basin, Article text
Quote, In Ecosystem: Mediterranean Basin, Article text
Endangered mammals of the Mediterranean basin include the Mediterranean monk seal, the Barbary macaque, and the Iberian lynx.
View the Source
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