FAST FACTS

Do you know the characteristics of the North Atlantic Right Whale?

• The North Atlantic right whale (or south whale) and right whale was once abundant, but hunting from the 11th century through the early 20th century decimated the species. By 1750 it was already rare, but still pursued if found because of its economic importance.
• Over fishing by the whaling industry caused its decimation. Its most serious threats today are avoidable collisions with ships and entanglement in fishing gear.
• The North Atlantic right whale (or south whale) and right whale is one of the world’s rarest marine mammals.
• The North Atlantic right whale (or south whale) and right whale weighs up to 70 tonnes and can reach 17 metres in length, females are usually a metre longer than males.
• It’s easily distinguished from other whales by its lack of a dorsal ridge or dorsal fin. It is stout, robust and has noticeable callosities - growths on the top and sides of the head. They are individually identifiable by the pattern of these callosities.
• Right whales are skim feeders, moving slowly through the water with their mouths partially open, continuously straining the food (plankton called copepods) through their long baleen.
• Right whales are relatively slow swimmers, averaging only 6-8 km/h. They do not appear to always avoid boats.