Animals were also seen hauled out on the exposed coral reefs at low 
tide. 
Feeding 
i — - - 
The only seals that we saw feeding were nursing pups* There was no apparent 
regularity in the nursing times* No seals were seen catching or carrying food, 
2 
and no regurgitated stomach contents were round* Rice found that at least part 
of their diet consists of octopus, squid, and eels* 
i£p,rassive behavior 
The only animals we observed to exhibit any aggressive behavior were some 
females with pups, and a few of the adult males that were accompanying females. 
Most of the animals were quite tame, and, when disturbed, exhibited only the 
defensive behhavior mentioned earlier. 
Pweproduction 
There was no harem formation and no localised rookery formation observed 
for this specie- on either Laysan or Lisianski, though the cows with small and 
newborn pups were primarily on the east and northeast shores(leeward) of both 
islands. Female Monk seals probably bear young only once every two years, 
as is evidenced by the fact that approximately 50% of the adult females have 
not had , and apparently will not have a pup this season. Many of these females 
were paired with adult males at the time of our count. No copulatory behavior 
was observed for this species during our visit. 
Probably the Monk seal is monogamous, as some males showed strong protective 
instincts for the accompanying female and remained with her on l~nd and in the . 
water, la one instance, an adult male seal came out of the water to the aid 
of one female with a newborn pup that we were examining. 
There were many very plump pups on both islands that had apparently been 
weaned recently, or were being weaned, as the mother was not in the vicinity. 
