1. Southern Right Whale Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis) NEXT References: Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand Southern Right Whale: Wikipedia Presented by Wiremu James Barrett Rm 3, Centennial Park School

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10. Description Description Like other right whales, Southern Right Whales are readily distinguished from other whales by the callosities on their heads, a broad back without a dorsal fin, and a long arching mouth that begins above the eye. The body of the whale is very dark grey or black, occasionally with some white patches on the belly. The right whale's callosities appear white, not due to skin pigmentation, but to large colonies of cyamids or whale lice. Like other right whales, Southern Right Whales are readily distinguished from other whales by the callosities on their heads, a broad back without a dorsal fin, and a long arching mouth that begins above the eye. The body of the whale is very dark grey or black, occasionally with some white patches on the belly. The right whale's callosities appear white, not due to skin pigmentation, but to large colonies of cyamids or whale lice. MORE BACK

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12. How big is it? How big is it? Why is it called the Right whale? Why is it called the Right whale? How high does the blowhole blow? How high does the blowhole blow? MENU

13. How high does the blowhole blow? 4 to 5 metres high 4 to 5 metres high 10 metres high 10 metres high 1 metre 1 metre

14. Why is it called the right whale? Because it always swims on its right side Because it always swims on its right side Because they were the ‘right’ whale to catch Because they were the ‘right’ whale to catch Because they live in the right hemisphere Because they live in the right hemisphere

15. Southern Right Whales spend the summer months in the far Southern Ocean feeding, probably close to Antarctica. They migrate north in winter for breeding and can be seen around the coasts of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Mozambique, New Zealand and South Africa. The total population is estimated to be between seven and eight thousand. Since hunting of the Southern Right Whale ceased, stocks are estimated to have grown by 7% a year. It appears that the South American, South African and Australasian groups intermix very little, if at all, because the fidelity of a mother to its feeding and calving habitats is very strong. The mother also passes these instincts to her calves. Southern Right Whales spend the summer months in the far Southern Ocean feeding, probably close to Antarctica. They migrate north in winter for breeding and can be seen around the coasts of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Mozambique, New Zealand and South Africa. The total population is estimated to be between seven and eight thousand. Since hunting of the Southern Right Whale ceased, stocks are estimated to have grown by 7% a year. It appears that the South American, South African and Australasian groups intermix very little, if at all, because the fidelity of a mother to its feeding and calving habitats is very strong. The mother also passes these instincts to her calves. Facts

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17. One behavior unique to Southern Right Whales, known as sailing is that of using their elevated flukes to catch the wind. It appears to be a form of play and is commonly seen off the coast of Argentina and South Africa. One behavior unique to Southern Right Whales, known as sailing is that of using their elevated flukes to catch the wind. It appears to be a form of play and is commonly seen off the coast of Argentina and South Africa. FACTS

18. Southern Right Whales are almost indistinguishable from the closely related Atlantic Northern Right Whale and the North Pacific Right Whale, with only some minor skull differences. They may have fewer callosities on their head and more on their lower lips than the northern species. The maximum size of an adult female is 18.5 m (61 feet) and approximately 130 tons. Southern Right Whales are almost indistinguishable from the closely related Atlantic Northern Right Whale and the North Pacific Right Whale, with only some minor skull differences. They may have fewer callosities on their head and more on their lower lips than the northern species. The maximum size of an adult female is 18.5 m (61 feet) and approximately 130 tons. FACTS

19. CORRECT! The Southern Right whale is so called because they were thought to be the “right” whale to catch by whalers. They are very rich in oil and whale bone, and when they are killed, they float on the water. The Southern Right whale is so called because they were thought to be the “right” whale to catch by whalers. They are very rich in oil and whale bone, and when they are killed, they float on the water. Back to questions

20. CORRECT! The Southern Right whale blows water through its blow hole up to 4 and 5 metres high. The Southern Right Whale blows the water in a ‘V’ shape and this also helps identify the whale. The Southern Right whale blows water through its blow hole up to 4 and 5 metres high. The Southern Right Whale blows the water in a ‘V’ shape and this also helps identify the whale. Back to questions

21. Small. Small. Medium. Medium. Large. Large. BACK How big is the Southern Right whale?

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25. Correct, well done! It is large and stocky It is large and stocky It can weigh up to 41,000 kgs It can weigh up to 41,000 kgs Its length is 14 – 18 metres Its length is 14 – 18 metres Questions

26. Pictures Family Family Southern right whale Southern right whale Baleen Baleen MENU