Right Whale (Southern)

About the Right Whale (Southern)

Named because they were the right whale to hunt - slow, surface-feeding, and float when killed. Their population crashed from 100,000+ to just 300 by the 1920s. They have recovered to about 15,000. They have distinctive white growths on their heads called callosities, unique to each whale. They are among the most monogamous of whales. They can live 70+ years. They have no dorsal fin. Their baleen can reach 3 meters long. They approach boats and are popular for whale watching. Calves are born weighing 1,000 kg.