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The Mediterranean monk seal A. A. Karamanlidis et al.

Fig. 2. The characteristic morphology of the Mediterranean monk seal: (a) a newborn pup with its characteristic lanugo fur and the white patch on
the ventral side of the body; (b) a juvenile monk seal with a slim, elongated body and few external morphological characteristics (scars); (c) a female
adult with a characteristic light brown or greyish pelage and numerous scars on the dorsal side of the body; (d) a male adult, showing the charac-
teristic white patch on the ventral side of the body and numerous scars at the throat and hind flippers. Photos: (a, c) Panagiotis Dendrinos/MOm, (b,
d) Alexandros A. Karamanlidis/MOm.

a white patch on the ventral side of the body (Badosa et al. and a post-moult phase (dull appearance). In the Cabo
1998, Dendrinos 2011). The shape, size, and position of the Blanco monk seal subpopulation, the intermoult period was
patch, which is often spotted (Dendrinos 2011), varies close to one year except in females nursing a pup. Such
between individuals and according to gender (Badosa et al. females have longer intermoult periods and can even moult
1998). Juvenile and adult Mediterranean monk seals have while still lactating (Pastor & Aguilar 2003). Development
very short and bristly hair [about 0.5 cm long; the shortest of the male adult pelage is gradual, involving usually two
hair among pinnipeds (Ling 1970)], which lies close to the annual moults. This process is often completed by the age of
animal’s body, thus forming a close-cropped pelt. four years (Badosa et al. 2006).
The neonatal moult follows a well-defined pattern Male Mediterranean monk seals have been observed to
(Androukaki et al. 2002) and occurs on average eight weeks mate for the first time in their seventh year. The earliest esti-
post-partum (Badosa et al. 2006, Dendrinos 2011). This mate of attainment of sexual maturity for a female Mediter-
moult occurs partly in the water, may last one to three ranean monk seal was first reported to be five to six years
weeks (Mursaloglu 1986, Androukaki et al. 2002, Dendrinos (King 1983). Over the years, this has been revised down-
2011) and is not associated with weaning, as moulted monk wards, to 4.0 (Marchessaux 1989), 2.5 (Gazo et al. 2000a),
seals have been observed to suckle (Gazo et al. 2006). and most recently to 2.1 years (unpublished data, CBD
Moulting of juveniles and adults occurs throughout the year Habitat); this is considered to be the lowest age band
(Androukaki et al. 1999, Güçlüsoy & Savas¸ 2003a, Pastor & recorded for any phocid species. Mating in monk seals
Aguilar 2003); there appears to be no significant difference occurs in the water (Pastor et al. 1998).
in the moulting period between monk seal subpopulations After a gestation lasting approximately nine to 11 months
in the eastern Mediterranean and the Cabo Blanco region (Marchessaux & Pergent-Martini 1991, Pastor & Aguilar
(Badosa 1998). Mediterranean monk seals shed their hair 2003), one pup is born (King 1956). Females can give birth
along with large layers of epidermis (Badosa 1998), partly in in successive years (Panou et al. 1993, Pires & Neves 2001,
the water. A series of sequential moulting phases has been Güçlüsoy & Savas¸ 2003a, Pastor & Aguilar 2003). Prior to
identified, including a long pre-moult phase (brown pelage) parturition, females often retreat to isolated areas within

4 Mammal Review (2015) © 2015 The Mammal Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd