Right whale
Right whales are large baleen whales in the genus Eubalaena, with three recognised species: the North Atlantic right whale, North Pacific right whale, and southern right whale.
Right whales are large baleen whales in the genus Eubalaena, with three recognised species: the North Atlantic right whale, North Pacific right whale, and southern right whale. They are named for having been considered the “right” whales to hunt because they were slow-moving and floated after death. Several populations are threatened, and the North Atlantic right whale is critically endangered.
Classification and species
Right whales are baleen whales in the family Balaenidae. Modern references recognise three species in the genus Eubalaena: North Atlantic, North Pacific, and southern right whales.
Physical characteristics
Right whales are stout-bodied whales with very large heads, sometimes measuring up to one-third of body length. They lack a dorsal fin and have baleen plates for filter-feeding.
Feeding and habitat
They feed by filtering zooplankton and similar tiny organisms from the water. Species occupy temperate and subpolar waters in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, with seasonal movements tied to feeding and breeding.
Conservation
Several right whale populations were heavily depleted by historical whaling and remain threatened by ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. The North Atlantic right whale is listed as critically endangered.
Key facts
- Right whales are large baleen whales with massive heads and baleen plates used for filter-feeding.
- They belong to the genus Eubalaena and the family Balaenidae.
- The name “right whale” comes from historical whalers who regarded them as the “right” whales to hunt.
- There are three recognised species: North Atlantic, North Pacific, and southern right whales.
- Human-caused threats such as ship strikes and fishing-gear entanglement are the main causes of decline.
Right whales are relevant to Canada because North Atlantic right whales occur in Atlantic Canadian waters, especially around the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Scotian Shelf, where vessel strikes and fishing-gear entanglement are major conservation concerns.
Frequently asked questions
How many species of right whale are there?
Why are they called right whales?
What do right whales eat?
Are right whales endangered?
Where do right whales live?
References
- National Geographic — https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/right-whalesSupports: Genus, feeding method, habitat, and general description of right whales.
- NOAA National Ocean Service — https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/rtwhale.htmlSupports: Origin of the name, size, diet, and threats to North Atlantic right whales.
- International Whaling Commission — https://iwc.int/about-whales/whale-species/right-whaleSupports: Recognised species of right whales and their conservation status.
- Smithsonian Ocean Portal — https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/marine-mammals/north-atlantic-right-whaleSupports: North Atlantic right whale size, status, threats, and species overview.
- Defenders of Wildlife — https://www.defenders.org/wildlife/north-atlantic-right-whaleSupports: Current population estimate and reproductive-female estimate for North Atlantic right whale.
- Conservation Law Foundation — https://www.clf.org/blog/fascinating-right-whale-facts/Supports: Recent population estimate for North Atlantic right whales.