ABSTRACT: The diurnal variation of body temperature of an unrestrained Hawaiian
monk seal, recorded by telemetry, was 1.0° C. Increased activity was the
principal cause of increased body temperature in the seal. The body temperature of
the animal was lowest when it was asleep on land in direct sunlight. In view of
these results, an explanation is offered for the reported heat tolerance of Hawaiian
monk seals in their natural habitat
