Monachus tropicalis
West Indian monk seal

Monachus tropicalis has officially been declared extinct. Historically, the range of Caribbean monk seals was in the tropical waters of the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, the Greater and Lesser Antillies, around the Yucatan Penninsula, and around offshore islets and atolls. Currently, unconfirmed sightings are most common in Northern Haiti and North-east Jamaica. It is the only pinniped ever known to exist in the Caribbean region. The last recorded sighting of M. tropicalis in the United States was in 1932 off the coast of Texas and a small group was sighted on Seranilla Bank, between Honduras and Jamaica, in 1952. (Boyd and Stanfield, Oct. 1998; Debrot, Oct. 2000; IUCN, 2008; Knudsen, Oct. 1977)

Little is known about the habitat of M. tropicalis. Likely, beach habitat was important, however they spent much of their time in the water. Caribbean monk seals occupied a marine environment, with rocky or sandy coastline for shelter and breeding areas. Unconfirmed sightings of M. tropicalis by divers usually take place underwater. This suggests they are rarely seen at the surface, or when they are, they are rarely recognized. Recent evidence indicates the ultimate contributing factor to the decline of Caribbean monk seals was loss of habitat. (Boyd and Stanfield, Oct. 1998; Lavigne, Dec. 1998)

Caribbean monk seals were known to be beautiful animals. They had brown pelage, lightly frosted with gray, fading to a pale yellow on the stomach. They had hoodlike rolls of fat that surround their necks. Their hair was very short and stiff. The nails on the anterior digits were well developed, and nails on the posterior digits were simple. Their soles and palms were naked. They have also had 4, rather than 2 mammary glands. Their dental formula was 2/1, 1/1, 5/5. It is likely that there was sexual dimorphism, with males reaching up to 200 kg in some accounts. Females were likely smaller, ranging from 70-140 kg, although there is disparity in records. Infants were born with coal-black pelage. (Knudsen, Oct. 1977; Macdonald, 1984)

Actual lifespan of M. tropicalis is unknown. However it is believed the average life span was around 20 years. (Macdonald, 1984)

Monachus tropicalis is thought to have been most active at dawn and dusk. This seal species was unaggressive and curious, but also very sensitive to disturbance. This likely contributed to the demise of M. tropicalis before thorough investigations could be made into its behavior patterns. (Boyd and Stanfield, Oct. 1998; Seal Conservation Society and 2001., date unknown)

Because Caribbean monk seals were classified as extinct before it was possible to study them, their primary diet is not known to science. It is assumed however, that it followed the typical monk seal diet of fishes and invertebrates. Caribbean monk seals are also assumed to have preyed on pelagic species, along with spiny lobsters, eels, octopus, and various other reef fish. (Boyd and Stanfield, Oct. 1998; Macdonald, 1984)

Caribbean monk seals had relatively few predators. It is likely that the biggest threats to them (other than humans) were the sharks. Although they were agile swimmers, these seals were not able to move quickly while on land. Bbecause of their isolated evolutionary history, M. tropicalis was not equipped with an innate fear of predation on land. This made them relatively easy targets for pioneers and fishermen. (Kenyon, Nov. 1972)

The exact role this species played in the Caribbean ecosystem is unknown. As predators, they probably had some affect on regulating local fish populations.

It was believed that M. tropicalis was a competitor to the fishing industry. This belief inspired mass killings of M. tropicalis by fishermen. (Debrot, Oct. 2000)

Christopher Columbus was the first to note this species in his accounts. With the arrival of other Europeans, M. tropicalis was relentlessly exploited for the commercially valuable oil produced from their blubber. It was also used, less commonly, for meat. (Debrot, Oct. 2000; Seal Conservation Society and 2001., date unknown)

It is believed that M. tropicalis is now extinct. Although there are unconfirmed sightings still in Caribbean areas, two expeditions in search of M. tropicalis failed to produce any evidence that M.tropicalis is still present in these waters. (Boyd and Stanfield, Oct. 1998; Debrot, Oct. 2000; Knudsen, Oct. 1977; Mignucci-Giannoni and Odell, 2001)

Some researchers believe that all seals evolved in tropical waters where only 2 species survive: Hawaiian monk seals and Mediterranean monk seals, both of which are critically endangered. Until the 1960's there was a third species in tropical waters-- Caribbean monk seals. Today it is unknown whether this animal still exists.

In 1493, during his famous voyage to the Americas, Columbus discovered the Caribbean monk seal. He called this creature a "sea-wolf." Because of its long isolation in the Caribbean and on the islands there, the species did not have the characteristic suspiciousness displayed by most seals. It was easily killed for its blubber and meat. Once fishermen began to colonize what little habitat M. tropicalis had left, the remaining population suffered a loss.

Recently, two scientific crews set out to find M. tropicalis around Jamaica and Haiti. Air surveys and personal interviews took place with fishermen in the area. About 23% stated they had seen a monk seal this, or last year. Because there are only 3 tropical species of seal, separated by oceans, it is believed that these sightings indicate the presence of Caribbean monk seals. However, because of expanded commercial and sustenance fishing, it is unlikely that these seals have been able to survive. Undisturbed habitat is necessary to meet the requirements of this animal, and in this area such habitat is very limited. Unconfirmed sightings of monk seals in their native range are probably of wandering hooded seals (Cystophora cristata), which have been confirmed near Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. (Boyd and Stanfield, Oct. 1998; IUCN, 2008; Kenyon, Feb. 1977; Kenyon, Nov. 1972; Knudsen, Oct. 1977; Lavigne, Dec. 1998; Seal Conservation Society and 2001., date unknown)