Right whales

Right whales are one of the largest species of whales in the world and are found in the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans. They are known for their distinctive callosities, or patches of rough skin, on their heads and for their large size. Right whales are also known for their slow swimming speed, which is why they are often hunted by humans.

Meta Information

Scientific Name

Eubalaena glacialis

Average Lifespan

70 years

Average Size

15-18 meters

Similar To

Humpback whales, Gray whales, Bowhead whales, Fin whales

Lifecyle

Right whales reach sexual maturity between the ages of 9 and 12. They typically mate in the winter and give birth to a single calf after a gestation period of 12 months. The calf will stay with its mother for up to a year before it is weaned.

Diet

Right whales feed mainly on zooplankton, such as krill and copepods. They also feed on small fish, squid, and other invertebrates.

Habitat

Right whales are found in the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans, typically in coastal waters and around the edges of continental shelves. They are usually seen near the surface of the water, but can dive down to depths of up to 600 meters.

What are right whales?

Right whales are a family of baleen whales that belong to the genus Eubalaena. They are called "right whales" because they were considered the "right" whales to hunt during the whaling era. They have a stocky body, a broad back and no dorsal fin. They are also known for their large heads, which can measure up to one-third of their body length.
Where do right whales live?

Right whales are found in the North Atlantic, North Pacific, and Southern Ocean. There are three species of right whales: North Atlantic right whale, North Pacific right whale, and Southern right whale. The North Atlantic right whale is found in the waters off the east coast of North America, while the North Pacific right whale is found in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. The Southern right whale is found in the Southern Ocean, around Antarctica.
What do right whales eat?

Right whales are filter feeders and primarily eat krill and small fish. They have a unique feeding mechanism, where they take in large amounts of water and filter out the prey using their baleen plates. They can consume up to 2,600 pounds of food per day during the feeding season.
Why are right whales endangered?

All three species of right whales are endangered due to hunting, entanglement in fishing gear, and ship strikes. During the whaling era, right whales were hunted to the brink of extinction. Today, they face threats from commercial fishing gear, which can entangle and drown them, and from ship strikes, which can cause fatal injuries.
How are efforts being made to protect right whales?

Governments and conservation organizations are working to protect right whales by implementing regulations to reduce the risk of entanglement and ship strikes. Fishing gear modifications, such as using weaker ropes and buoy lines that sink or break away, are being implemented to reduce the risk of entanglement. Ship speed limits and route changes are being used to reduce the risk of ship strikes. Education and outreach programs are also being used to raise awareness about the importance of protecting these endangered whales.
How many right whales are left in the world?

The current population estimates for right whales are concerning. The North Atlantic right whale population is estimated to be around 400 individuals, with only around 100 breeding females left. The North Pacific right whale population is estimated to be less than 50 individuals, and the Southern right whale population is estimated to be around 15,000 individuals, but still considered endangered. These low population numbers make it critical for conservation efforts to continue to protect and recover the remaining right whale populations.
What is being done to help increase the population of right whales?

Several conservation organizations and government agencies are working to increase the population of right whales. Efforts include monitoring and tracking the whales to better understand their behavior and habitat use, reducing the risk of entanglement and ship strikes through regulations and gear modifications, and implementing research and recovery programs to support their survival and reproduction. For example, the NOAA Fisheries has established the Atlantic Large Whale Disentanglement Network to help disentangle whales from fishing gear, while also providing veterinary care and monitoring their health. Additionally, some organizations have even developed new technologies, such as acoustic monitoring and drone surveillance, to better protect and study the whales.

10 Fun Facts About

1. Right whales have the longest baleen of any whale species, with some measuring up to 4 meters in length. 2. Right whales are the only whale species that can swim backwards. 3. Right whales are the only whale species that have callosities, or patches of rough skin, on their heads. 4. Right whales are the only whale species that have asymmetrical coloring, with one side of their body being lighter than the other. 5. Right whales can hold their breath for up to 45 minutes. 6. Right whales are the slowest swimming whale species, with a top speed of only 6 km/h. 7. Right whales can live up to 70 years in the wild. 8. Right whales can weigh up to 80 tons. 9. Right whales are the only whale species that feed by lunging, or swimming quickly towards their prey and then gulping it up. 10. Right whales are highly social animals and are often seen in large groups.