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The Mediterranean monk seal (''Monachus monachus'') is a pinniped belonging to the family Phocidae. At some 450–510 (fewer than 600) remaining individuals, it is believed to be the world's rarest pinniped species, and one of the most endangered mammals in the world.〔 It is present in parts of the Mediterranean Sea as well as eastern Atlantic Ocean waters around the Tropic of Cancer. ==Description== This species of seal grows from approximately 80 cm long at birth up to an average of 2.4 m (7.95 ft) as adults. Males weigh an average of 315 kg (695 lbs) and females weigh 300 kg (660 lbs), overall weigh ranging from 240 to 400 kg (530–880&;lbs).〔 They are thought to live up to 45 years old;〔 the average life span is thought to be 20 to 25 years old and reproductive maturity is reached at around age four. The monk seals' pups are about a meter long and weigh around 15–18 kilograms, their skin being covered by 1–1.5 centimeter-long, dark brown to black hair. On their bellies, there is a white stripe, which differs in color between the two sexes. This hair is replaced after six to eight weeks by the usual short hair adults carry.〔 Pregnant Mediterranean monk seals typically use inaccessible undersea caves while giving birth, though historical descriptions show they used open beaches until the 18th century. There are eight pairs of teeth in both jaws. Believed to have the shortest hair of any pinniped, the Mediterranean monk seal fur is black (males) or brown to dark grey (females), with a paler belly, which is close to white in males. The snout is short broad and flat, with very pronounced, long nostrils that face upward, unlike their Hawaiian relative, which tend to have more forward nostrils. The flippers are relatively short, with small slender claws. Monk seals have two pairs of retractable abdominal teats, unlike most other pinnipeds. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Mediterranean monk seal」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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