North Atlantic Right Whale

Eubalaena glacialis

The North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) is a critically endangered marine mammal that inhabits the temperate and subpolar waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. Averaging 45 to 55 feet in length and weighing up to 70 tons, these baleen whales feature robust bodies with distinctive callosities on their heads, which serve as a key identifying characteristic. Their dark gray to black skin is occasionally marked with white patches and scars. Right whales are slow swimmers known for their social behavior, often seen in small groups.

Eubalaena glacialis primarily feeds on zooplankton, especially copepods and krill, using their large, baleen plates to filter vast amounts of water. Historically, they were called "right" whales because they were considered the right whales to hunt, being slow and buoyant when killed, making them an easy target for whalers. Today, their population is critically low due to past and ongoing threats, such as ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, and habitat loss. Conservation efforts are in place to protect these majestic creatures, focusing on protected areas, ship speed regulations, and changes in fishing practices to ensure their survival.