North Atlantic Right Whale Facts
- This majestic marine mammal is most typically referred to by the informative common name of the North Atlantic Right Whale. Yet, it does have other general titles. These include such terms as black right whale, bone whale, and Biscay whale, among others.
- Scientific professionals, however, perhaps know it better by its technical designation. Unfortunately, though, as often occurs, that’s a somewhat difficult tag for the layperson to pronounce. That’s because it holds the formal epithet of Eubalaena glacialis.
- The magnificent creature received that appellation due to the efforts of Otto Friedrich Müller. The Danish naturalist accomplished the first recognition of it as a separate and distinct species. He managed that scientifically noteoworthy deed in 1776.
- The animal currently represents one of only three recognized species within its genus. Previously, however, scientists classified all three as a single species. This marvel of Nature is now a protected species across much of their native habitat range.
- Sadly, though, the amazing North Atlantic Right Whale finds itself in a most precarious position. Though it’s now protected, humans once hunted it nearly to the point of extinction. It still has a very small population, and recovery proceeds slowly.
- Due to these factors, the IUCN currently lists it as Critically Endangered. The whale faces multiple threats to its continued existence as a species. Most of these stem from the actions of man. They include the dangers of habitat loss and climate change.
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North Atlantic Right Whale Physical Description
The beautiful North Atlantic Right Whale certainly captures the attention of those who encounter it. Like its cousins, it also does so for a variety of reasons. That’s due to the fact that, as with many cetaceans, it possess both great beauty and impressive dimensions.
It also follows another pattern typical to its many relatives. That’s the fact that it displays a certain amount of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. In this species, that trait manifests itself purely in terms of size. Females are slightly larger than the males.
The gender-based difference remains comparatively minor, though. Overall, mature individuals reach an average length measuring approximately 43 – 52 ft (13 – 16 m). Weights often vary significantly, however, ranging from 88,185 – 154,324 lb (40,000 – 70,000 kg).
Exceptional specimens nevertheless do sometimes occur, regardless of gender. The most physically impressive examples ever reliably confirmed attained lengths of 61 ft (18.6 m), and weighed roughly 234,000 lb (106,000 kg). Such examples remain rare, though.
Other than size, both sexes of the North Atlantic Right Whale present the same appearance. Its most distinguishing attribute, setting it apart from other cetaceans, is its lack of a dorsal fin on its back. It also has a large head that accounts for a large part of its length.
Exact patterns of coloring additionally vary between individuals, though within certain ranges. These primarily consist of various shades or black or gray. A few individuals, however, also display random patches of white, usually on their throats and stomachs.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Artiodactyla
- Family: Balaenidae
- Genus: Eubalaena
- Species: E. glacialis
North Atlantic Right Whale Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
The gorgeous North Atlantic Right Whale evolved as native to only a moderate expanse of the marine regions of the earth. Its very name provides the location of that zone of habitation. It developed as endemic to the northern areas of the Atlantic Ocean.
To the north, that extends as far as the Labrador Sea, near Greenland, as well as other regions at the same longitude. To the south that only reaches to Florida, in the United States, in the southeast. It also extends to around the northwest coast of South America.
The remarkable cetacean also evolved decidedly clear preferences regarding its choice of habitat. Yet, the nature of this favoritism drastically limits its available range. This marvel of evolution primarily, but not solely, chooses to reside in waters along the continental shelf.
Individuals and groups nevertheless do occasionally venture far out to sea, into areas of very deep water. The species also migrates seasonally within this greater territory, generally between feeding grounds. This occurs both as individuals and in groups.
The amazing North Atlantic Right Whale, as its many kin around the world, evolved as carnivorous in nature. Its diet consists primarily of copious quantities of relatively small crustaceans and other invertebrates. These include pteropods, krill, and similar creatures.
Following mating, females carry the young for about 1 year. The mother typically nurses young for 1 – 2 years. Even after that, though, calves often stay with or near the mother until around the age of 10. Minus human interaction, an averae lifespan equals about 100 years.
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