As a result of this range contraction, the monk seal has been virtually reduced to two populations, one in the eastern Mediterranean and the other in the Northeast Atlantic, off the coast of Northwest Africa. Natural History Little information is available on this now reclusive species. The Mediterranean monk seal male averages 2.4 m in length and weighs approximately 315 kg. Females are slightly smaller, weighing approximately 300 k. Adults are generally brown or grey on the back, and lighter on the belly. A white patch is common on the underside of the belly, and other irregular light patches are not uncommon.
Older males tend to be black.
Unlike the Caribbean and Hawaiian monk seals, the Mediterranean monk seal pups are born with a white or yellow patch on the belly of the otherwise black, woolly coat. The Mediterranean monk seal has been virtually extirpated from much of its original habitat by human encroachment and females now pup only in caves in remote and relatively undisturbed areas. Males and females are thought to reach sexual maturity between 5 and 6 years, although some females may mature as early as 4 years. Pups are born over much of the year although peak pupping occurs in September and October. Monk seal pups can swim and dive at about two weeks of age and are weaned at about 16-17 weeks.