North Atlantic right whale mothers are known for their tender care of newborn calves. On their calving grounds, mothers whisper to their young, allowing them to stay in close contact without advertising their presence to potential predators in the area! They even cradle their calves at the surface, swimming belly-up with their flippers wrapped around them so the newborn can rest and breathe safely.
Once abundant throughout the Northern Hemisphere, the North Atlantic right whale is now one of the rarest large whale species on Earth. It is one of three species of right whale, with the other two being the North Pacific right whale and the Southern right whale. These gentle giants can reach lengths of up to 15.8 meters (52 feet) in length and are recognized by their stocky body, short pectoral fins, and lack of a dorsal fin. They are primarily black, sometimes with white patches on their bellies, and often have distinctive callosities — rough skin patches that are often light in color due to whale lice — on their head. Scientists use each whale′s unique collection of callosities to help identify individuals whales.
North Atlantic right whales are a migratory species, with some traveling thousands of miles each year. They travel alone, as a mom and calf pair, or sometimes in small groups where they may socialize at the surface with others and communicate through low-frequency sounds. As they roam the sea, they search for swarms of tiny swimming crustaceans and plankton.