Fauna
Mammal

Southern Right Whale

Eubalaena australis

Also known as Black Whale

Southern right whales migrate annually from Antarctic feeding grounds to warm, sheltered coastal bays where mothers give birth and nurse their calves. They display unique behaviors such as sailing, raising their broad flukes into the wind to float across the water surface. Distinctive head callosities host specialized whale lice, creating individually unique white patterns that researchers use for field identification.

Marine MammalBaleen WhaleMigratory
Southern Right Whale reference1 / 7
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyCopepods, Krill, Mysids
Predators
  • Orca
  • Kelp Gull
ThreatsVessel strikes, fishing gear entanglement, climate change
HabitatsSubpolar and temperate oceans, coastal bays
Life span70–100 years
Classification
  1. FamilyBalaenidae
  2. SpeciesEubalaena australis
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Enormous body mass poses collision risks for boats; maintain legal viewing distances at sea.
What to notice
Identified by a broad black back lacking a dorsal fin and prominent white callosities around the head.
Support conservation
Maintain statutory distance buffers when boating and never position a vessel between a mother and calf.
Responsible observation
  • Whale Watching: Keep a respectful boat distance of at least 100 meters to avoid disturbing nursing mothers.
  • Callosity Identification: Look for white, roughened skin patches on the head to identify individual whales.
  • Behavior Spotting: Watch for V-shaped blowhole spouts and tail flukes raised vertically prior to deep dives.
Related species
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