Right Whales
Right Whales are baleen whales that belong to the family Balaenidae.
They are among the largest whales in the world, with a relatively large head and a massive body. They are relatively slow swimmers, and they are found in all oceans except in tropical and south polar waters. The name "Right" comes from the old whaling days, when they were the "right" whales to hunt, thanks to their slow swimming speed, the fact that they often come close to the land, and the fact that they were very profitable due to large amounts of oil they have. Physiologically, the group is distinguished by long, elastic baleen plates, bowed lower jaw, narrow rostrum, and a smooth chin and belly.
Southern Species
Southern Right Whales (Eubalaena australis) are found in the world's southern oceans, along the coasts of South America, southern Africa, southern Australia and around the whole New Zealand. They can weigh up to 80 tonnes. There are about 7,000 of them and they are not endangered.
Northern Species
There are two species of them in the Northern Hemisphere. The North Pacific Right Whale (Eubalaena japonica) is found in northern Pacific waters. There are only about 200 individuals left and the species is endangered. North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) is found in northern Atlantic waters, along the coasts of eastern North America and western Europe. There are about 300 individuals left and the species is endangered.
Bowhead Whales
Bowhead Whales (Balaena mysticetus)
also belong to the group although they belong to a different genus from
the whales above. They are found in northern waters of both Atlantic
and
Pacific Oceans - along the coasts of Greenland, northernmost Canada,
Alaska and eastern Russia. They are a little smaller than the whales
above, but can still weight up to 60 tonnes. There are about 9,000
individuals left and the species is dependent on
conservation.
Custom Search
Custom Search
