Eubalaena – Right whales
The genus of the largest whales, other than Family Balaenopteridae
They are closely related and share their family with the bowhead whales, typical for dark gray or black skin; hence sometimes are also referred to as the ‘black whales.’
The most distinctive characteristic of right whales is the presence of a rough patch of skin on their head that looks white due to parasitism by whale lice.
Moreover, all three species in this genus are migratory that move seasonally from place to place to forage or give birth. Although due to the protection laws in place, whaling is no longer a threat, humanity remains a threat to these species as these whales regularly get struck by ships and ingest plastic debris that can even kill them.
Species in this genus
North Atlantic right whale
Believed to be only seen by scientists for 50 hours in the last 50 years
North Pacific right whale
The rarest of all large whales and among the rarest of all the marine mammal species on earth
Southern right whale
Most common of right whales, cruising the southern oceans
