Rarest seal

Native to the western Mediterranean and the eastern Atlantic, the rarest species of seal is the endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), with only 600–700 remaining in the wild, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Of this population, it's estimated that only 350–450 are mature adults.

They are named "monk seals" owing to the colouration of fur between their head and bodies, which resembles the cowl (hooded garment) traditionally worn by monks.

The closest relative of the Mediterranean monk seal, the Caribbean monk seal (Neomonachus tropicalis), is already extinct.