Northern Right Whale
Eubalaena glacialis (Balaena g.)
Weight: Up
to 96,000 kg.
Habitat: Usually
found in temperate waters, although some move just north of the Arctic Circle or just south of the
Tropic of Cancer. It is found closer to land, especially during the
breeding season than others.
Gestation Period: 9-12 months.
Birth Season: Usually from December to April.
Birth Rate: A single calf at a time per 2-4 years.
Maximum Age: Probably greater than 30 years.
Diet: Diet
consists mainly of copepods
from the genus Calanus. It will also eat the
larvae of krill. It
eats about 1000-2500kg of food every day.
Threats: Current
threats may include mortality from collisions with shipping and
entanglement in nets, competition for food, and exclusion from calving
areas due to ship and boat traffic.
