THE right whale is a marine mammal of the genus Eubalaena, which includes three species that differ by the place where they live.
the species Eubalaena glacialis and Eubalaena japonica, also known as the North Atlantic Right Whale and the Pacific Right Whale, respectively, are found in the northern hemisphere.
the species Eubalaena Australis (Austral Right Whale) lives in the southern hemisphere and is the most popular, estimating a current population of approximately 7,000 individuals.
Right Whale Characteristics
Right whales are large animals, with approximately 17 meters, black, rounded body and irregular white spots on the belly. Your body is made up of a thick layer of fat, which helps control your temperature.
Its head occupies almost a quarter of its total length, the mouth is curved and has about 250 pairs of bristles. fin that help in the process of filtering the food, as they swim with their mouths open to acquire the organisms.
One of its main features is the calluses that appear on the head. It is a structure that is naturally formed in the skin and, even when unborn, they are soft and harden over time. The shape of the calluses changes little, thus becoming a characteristic of each one, allowing their identification.
Right whales harbor crustaceans, also known as "whale lice", which are lifelong and do not cause damage.
The identification of the right whale sex is done, in most cases, only after observing the female accompanied by her calf in breeding areas.
Where do right whales live?
The right whale lives in waters where the tropical weather, that is, in warmer places in winter, a period that represents mating and procreation. In summer they migrate to the poles, where they feed.
The breeding areas are characterized by having calm and shallow waters, thus offering more protection against predators, such as other whale and shark species.
Right whale on the Brazilian coast
Annually, right whales migrate from the icy waters where they live, especially around the Ilha da South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula, to the Brazilian coast, covering approximately 3 thousand kilometers.
During the reproductive period of right whales, between the months of July and November, it is common to see them on the Brazilian coast, especially in the state of Santa Catarina. With each new puppy, they return to the same place.
The Australis Institute, responsible for the Right Whale Project, records the various sightings of whales on the coast of Santa Catarina, in which the cities of Laguna, Imbituba, Garopaba and Florianopolis.
Another species that usually visits the Brazilian coast is the humpback whale.
Right Whale Extinction Threats
Right whales have already been targeted by hunters, especially to remove their thick layer of body fat to be transformed into oil used in lighting.
The hunting of right whales in the state of Santa Catarina resulted in the near extinction of the species. Records indicate that the killing took place until the year 1973 and, after that date, researchers report that the right whale was considered extinct, which in fact did not occur.
Currently, on the coast of Santa Catarina, there is an Environmental Protection Area of Baleia Franca and institutes that monitor the species to prevent its extinction.
Right Whale Fun Facts
- Right whales can rarely be born albino, but over time they will turn yellow.
- Each season there is an average of 26 right whale offspring on the coast of Santa Catarina. In 2007, there was the highest incidence of puppies, with 54 births.
- During the breeding period, right whales do not feed as they have previously acquired the necessary nutrients. This behavior can be compared to hibernating the Polar Bear, with the difference that whales do not sleep and bears do.
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