Translation 2783

152
little stUdied. It is 'known that. the adults atLain.a length of 210
to 240 cm. The back is grey-brown and the belly pale-yellow. 'Newborn
pups are covered with long, soft, black embryonic fur, Most •
of. the females rroduce young at tue beginning of _.iecember, but data
on the periods of lactation, mating, and moulting of adults are
lacking. It is believed that fishes constitute 'Luc, greater part'of
their diet. The number of these seals within their range is unknown.
Hawaiian 1:tonk Seal (konachus schauinslandi 1.,atshie, 1905)
The adults of this species are coloured dark-grey, almost
slate-coloured,,on the back, while the sides and belly are light-grey.
The dark tone is more characteristic of the males. The basic colour
of' new-born pups is black, witn white spots scattered everywhere
through it. After they moult their embryonic fur the pups acquire a,
straw-black colour on the.back and a silvery-grey coleur on the belly.
The maximum zoological body length of adult males is 210 cm.
It is believed that the females are 15-20 cm longer than the males.
The body weight of the males may reach 170 kg. The length of new-born
pups is 80-105 cm' and their weight is 9-10 kg. -At the age of one
month the pups are 130 cm in length and weigh 50 kg; at the age of
one year they are 150 cm in length and weigh 70
The range is,restricted to a group of atolls and islands lying
northwest of the Hawaiian Islands proper. The principal breedinggrounds
of these seals are located on Kure and i:lidway. Islands, rearl
and Hermes Reefs, Lisianski and Laysan Islands, and French and frigate
Reefs. Their habitats are restricted ta the - snallow-water.zone of •
the reefs or to sandbanks. The animals do not make long migrations,
but spend a large proportion of their time in te water, especially
at night; by day they are less active and most of tnem lie.bn the shore.
The parturition period is fairly'len, and - lasts fromaÉebruary
to Y.ay. A female usually breeds every year and produces a single pup.
Lactation lasts for a little more tnan a month. .,he.pups are able
to enter the water within a few days after birth, but do not usually
do so until they are two weeks old, before they have . finished moulting
their embryonic fur. The moult lasts for five or six weeks. •After
bomplotion of the moult tiac vilps *leave the shoo and Lo out to sea,
comiercing an independent moue of life. i:he females re„tain in tne •
rookery, and apparently the mating period of • tue seults then pegins.