Editing Caribbean monk seal (section)

==Behavior and ecology==
Historical records suggest that this species may have "hauled out" at resting areas on land in large social groups, typically 20–40 animals, but sometimes up to 100 individuals, throughout its range.<ref name=Jefferson>{{cite book|last=Jefferson|first=Webber|title=Marine Mammals of the World, A Comprehensive Guide to their Identification|year=2008|publisher=Elsevier|location=Amsterdam|pages=470–471}}</ref>  The groups may have been organised based on age and life stage differences. Their diet most likely consisted of fish and crustaceans.

Like other [[true seals]], the Caribbean monk seal was sluggish on land. Its lack of fear of humans, and an unaggressive, curious nature was taken advantage of by human hunters.

===Reproduction and longevity===
[[File:Caribbean monk seals New York.jpg|thumb|Two young individuals in New York Aquarium, 1910]]
Caribbean monk seals had a long pupping season, which is typical for pinnipeds living in subtropical and tropical habitats. In Mexico, breeding season peaked in early December. Like other monk seals, this species had four retractable nipples for suckling their young. Newborn pups were probably about {{convert|1|m}} in length and weighed {{convert|16|to|18|kg}} and reportedly had a sleek, black [[lanugo]] coat when born.<ref name=Jefferson />  It is believed this animal's average lifespan was approximately twenty years.

The [[Caribbean monk seal nasal mite]] (''Halarachne americana''), was entirely dependent on the seal, living inside of its nasal cavity, and went extinct with it.