Northern Right Whale
Northern Right Whale Facts
| Size | 42-59 feet (13-18 meters) |
| Speed | Up to 5 mph (8 km/h) |
| Weight | 40-80 tons |
| Lifespan | 20 years |
| Food | Plankton |
| Predators | Large sharks, Orcas |
| Habitat | Atlantic and Pacific Oceans |
| Order | Whales |
| Suborder | Baleen whales |
| Family | Right whales |
| Scientific name | Eubalaena glacialis (North Atlantic), Eubalaena japonica (North Pacific) |
| Characteristics | Large whale, rough white patches of skin on its head |
Main Characteristics
Northern right whales are large baleen whales. They possess a notably thick layer of blubber, which can reach 8-14 inches (20-35 cm) in thickness and constitutes 40% of their body weight. Their highly curved mouth opening is distinctive and sets them apart from all other whales. Another unique feature are rough, white patches of hardened skin on their heads - unique to each whale. They're called callosities. North Atlantic right whales can be found in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Unfortunately, both populations are threatened with extinction due to human activities.
Species
North Atlantic and North Pacific right whales are nearly indistinguishable externally, yet they are recognized as separate species. In addition to right whales, there is also the Southern right whale, which belongs to the same family.
Distribution and Habitat
The North Atlantic right whale inhabits the waters off the coasts of Canada and the USA. The North Pacific right whale is found in the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska, as well as near the Aleutian Islands and in the Sea of Okhotsk off Japan.
Way of Life
Northern right whales are solitary animals but come together for migrations, mating, and cooperative hunting.
Anatomy and Appearance
Body Shape
Northern right whales have a broad and robust body structure, with a strongly arched upper body.
Arched Mouth Line
The mouth line of the Northern right whale is unique compared to other whales. It starts beneath the eye and forms a large, strongly curved arc upwards. This design allows for more space for the baleen in its mouth, enabling it to filter plankton from the water more effectively.
Second Longest Baleen
The Northern right whale possesses the second-longest baleen plates, measuring 8-10 feet (2.5-3 meters) in length. Only the bowhead whale has longer baleen, reaching up to 13 feet (4 meters). In contrast, the blue whale's baleen is only 20-40 inches (50-100 cm) long.
A Baleen Whale Lacking Grooves
Although Northern right whales belong to the baleen whale category, they lack the throat grooves seen in blue whales or humpback whales.
Stunning V-shaped Blow
When whales surface, they expel used air from their blowholes. The resulting spray is referred to as a "blow". The Northern right whale has two blowholes; one tilts slightly to the left and the other to the right. On calm days, its blow appears V-shaped, and sometimes even heart-shaped – isn’t that adorable?
Super Thick Blubber
Whales have a thick layer of fat that keeps them warm despite the icy water temperatures. This layer of fat is known as blubber. In the past, blubber was used to make oil – a viscous substance for lamps, as a lubricant, or for soap. The fat layer of the North Cape seal is 8-14 inches (20-35 cm) thick and constitutes 40% of its body weight.
A Hump Instead of a Dorsal Fin
Northern right whales have a small hump on their backs instead of a dorsal fin. The dorsal fin is crucial for fast whales to maintain balance. However, the Northern right whale is relatively slow and therefore does not require one.
Short Pectoral Fins
The pectoral fins of Northern right whales are only 6.5 feet (2 meters) long, which is quite short for a whale.
Large Head With Callosities
The Northern right whale has a massive head, making up about 25% of its body length. Only the sperm whale, bowhead whale, and blue whale have larger heads. On its head, there is a layer of calloused skin. This is unique to each whale and serves as an easy identification mark for marine biologists. The calloused skin is not a sign of wear and tear; it begins to grow even in calves.
Diet
The Northern right whale is a carnivore, feeding on tiny organisms known as plankton. It "scoops" up 2,200-4,400 pounds (1,000-2,000 kg) of "plankton soup" from the ocean in a single day. It swims with its mouth open, "gulping" water and filtering out the plankton through its baleen.
Behavior
Slow Swimmers
Northern right whales move through the oceans at a maximum speed of 5 mph (8 km/h). They are quite slow compared to other whales.
Close to the Water's Surface
For marine biologists, Northern right whales are easy to spot as they usually stay just beneath the water's surface.
Active Movers
Northern right whales love to jump, lifting their tails high out of the water for extra propulsion before diving down, and they engage in "spy-hopping" to take a look around.
Migration
Why Do Northern Right Whales Migrate?
During the summer, they inhabit cold, fish-rich seas and head south in the autumn to spend the winter in warmer waters. There, they mate and raise their young.
Distance
During their migrations they cover distances of over 1,000 miles (1,600 km).
Migration Route
• North Atlantic Right Whales
North Atlantic right whales are found off the coast of Labrador, New England, and Canada during the summer. In winter, they migrate to the shallow coasts of the southeastern USA. They are particularly frequently seen off the coasts of Southern California, Georgia, and Florida.
• North Pacific Right Whales
The winter migration route of North Pacific right whales remains unknown. Marine biologists suspect they move from the cold Bering Sea and northern Gulf of Alaska southward to the Sea of Okhotsk off Japan or to the Aleutian Islands (a chain of islands).
Life Expectancy
Northern right whales can live between 50 to 100 years. However, they typically only reach about 20 years due to human activities.
Enemies and Threats
Natural Enemies
Adult Northern right whales have no natural predators. However, young, sick, or old individuals may sometimes fall prey to orcas and large sharks.
Human Impact
Fishing
The greatest danger to Northern right whales comes from fishing nets, which account for 82% of their deaths. The reason for the abundance of fishing nets is our high consumption of fish. Interestingly, those who eat less fish not only help the whales but also benefit the entire ecosystem.
Vessel Strikes
The second major threat to Northern right whales is ship traffic. They are fatally injured by ship propellers. In the warm waters off the southern coast of the USA, a vast number of ships are transporting goods to countless countries. If we humans opted for more local shopping, many of these ship transports would be unnecessary.
Hunting
There are no precise figures on how many Northern right whales existed before they were heavily hunted. However, it is a fact that hunting nearly led to the extinction of these animals. They are now protected, but the ban on hunting came too late.
Conservation Status
The North Atlantic right whale is critically endangered. According to a 2020 count by the IUCN, there are only 200-250 individuals left. There is insufficient information about the North Pacific right whale, but it is said that there are fewer than 500. This is merely a rough estimate.
Importance to the Ecosystem
Northern right whales play a crucial role in the oceans as their waste introduces nutrients into the sea, promoting the growth of essential phytoplankton. Phytoplankton is vital as it provides food for many marine species and absorbs CO2.
Reproduction
Not much is known about the reproduction of Northern right whales. A female gives birth to her first calf at 8-10 years of age. The gestation period lasts 12-13 months. At birth, a calf measures 13-15 feet (4-4.6 meters) in length and weighs between 2,000-3,000 poudsn (900-1,400 kg). A female typically has a calf every 3-6 years, and they are reproducing less frequently. The main reasons for this decline are the noise from ships and environmental pollution.
Fun Facts
Why Are They Considered the “Right” Whales?
Northern right whales were highly sought after by whalers because they are easy to catch, being very slow and often found close to the shore. In this context, "right" does not refer to a direction, but rather means "correct" or "good".
Animals in the Same Biome:
- Atlantic Cod
- Atlantic Puffin
- Black-Legged Kittiwake
- Elephant Seal
- Grey Seal
- Herring
- Salmon
- Sea Lion
- Sea Otter
- Walrus
Sources:
- „North Pacific Right Whale“ (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov)
