The vast majority of the Earth is covered by oceans and seas, home to millions of magnificent creatures living together in underwater harmony. Right whales are just one of the intelligent and unique animals that make up our marine ecosystem. Let’s get to know them a little better!
Did you know:
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40% of a right whale's body weight is made up of blubber.
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Their scientific name, Eubalaena glacialis, is interpreted from the Greek as meaning “‘good’ or ‘true’ whale of ice.”
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Scientists use whale ear wax to determine their age at the time of death. Right whales can live to be up to 70 years old.
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Right whales eat between 2,200 and 5,500 pounds of food every single day.
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Whales have lice! Okay, not exactly the same kind as humans, but it’s a type of skeleton shrimp parasite called cyamids that appear like white patches on their skin.
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They glide like a royal procession at an average of about 6 miles an hour and a maximum of 10.
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When hunting zooplankton, they tend to stay near the surface and swim very close to sandy beaches.
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Mother and calf have a close bond. Calves stay with the mothers for the first year and are often seen playing and being affectionate with one another.
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Just as they’re close with family, they’re also close with friends! Right whales form “surface-active groups” together where they socialize, feed, and find mates.
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Right whales are interesting, intelligent, and crucial to the North Atlantic’s aquatic ecosystem. We would suffer a great loss if we didn’t fight to protect them. I’m glad you’re here with us!
Rob
