What kind of whale is a right whale? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. Right whales are characterized by their large heads, which are about one-third of their body length, among the large whales. We will explain about this whale, which lives in warm areas along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
What is a Right Whale? Basic Stats
The right whale is a species of baleen whale belonging to the family Right Cetacea and the genus Right whale. Its scientific name is Eubalaena japonica, its kanji characters are Sebi-kujira and Seibi-kujira, and its English name is North Pacific Right Whale. Its total length is 15-17m and its weight is 45-60t. The list of information is as follows. It is a species with a very large head, and species such as the Southern Right Whale and the North Atlantic Right Whale belong to the Right Whale genus.
| Japanese（和名） | セミクジラ |
| English（英名） | North Pacific Right Whale |
| scientific name(学名) | Eubalaena japonica |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、Artiodactyl、 Balaenidae、Eubalaena 哺乳綱、鯨偶蹄目、セミクジラ科、セミクジラ属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | VULNERABLE |
| Length（体長） | 15-17m |
| Weight（体重） | 45-60t |
Habitat
Right whales inhabit the temperate zones of the North Pacific and North Atlantic, as well as the coasts of the subarctic zones of the Southern Hemisphere. Despite their long history, there are many mysteries surrounding them. For this reason, scientific research on them is being conducted internationally.
What are its characteristics? What kind of creature is it?
Right whales have a large head that takes up about a quarter of their total length. They are a unique species of whale because they have long baleen that can be over 2 meters long, they do not have a dorsal fin, and each individual has a different shape. There are scab-like raised layers of stratum corneum on the upper and lower jaws. They have two blowholes, one on each side.
What is their personality like?
Right whales are said to have a gentle and friendly nature, and are said to be easy for humans to handle. They are also very curious, and will play with humans. They are sometimes called “the kindest creature on Earth.”
What is their ecology like?
Right whales are small in population, and most of their ecology, such as their distribution, has not been clarified. They give birth in winter and spring, and their breeding grounds are thought to be in tropical or subtropical regions.
Do they have any natural enemies?
Their natural enemies are killer whales and sharks. Other than that, there are humans.
Are right whales an endangered species?
Right whales are registered and designated as an endangered species. The current population and past distribution are unknown, and there are many mysteries. In addition, due to the small original population, overfishing is a problem. They were caught in the North Pacific Ocean in small quantities until the 1960s, but commercial whaling has now been completely stopped. They need to be protected.
Can right whales be kept as pets?
Right whales cannot be kept as pets. To begin with, they are too large to be kept as pets. Images and photos can be viewed on the Internet. They are sometimes sold as figurines at aquariums.
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