Mediterranean Monk Seal

About Mediterranean Monk Seal

One of the world's most endangered marine mammals, occasionally spotted in remote Turkish coastal caves and islands.

Quick Facts

• Habitat: Rocky coastlines, sea caves with underwater entrances, and remote islands in the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic
• Diet: Fish (grouper, eel, flatfish), octopus, squid, and crustaceans – hunting mainly at dusk and dawn
• Best season: May to October for best water visibility

Fun Facts

Turkey's Foça district is named a Special Environmental Protection Area specifically for monk seals,They can hold their breath for up to 15 minutes,Monk seals give birth in sea caves,Ancient Greeks and Romans frequently depicted monk seals in their art

Diving Tips

Encounters are extremely rare and should never be pursued. If you spot a monk seal, remain still and keep a distance.