Southern right whale
Jumping right whale
The southern right whale ( Eubalaena australis ) is a cetacean of the family of right whales ( Balaenidae ). It is similar to the other two species of the genus Eubalaena, the Atlantic and Pacific right whales and was formerly counted even with these as a kind. Another name in German is Southern Right Whale.
Dissemination
Southern right whales live in the circumpolar sub-polar and temperate seas of the southern hemisphere, approximately between 30 and 50 degrees south latitude. Regular observations are available from the coasts of southern South America, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the smaller islands of the sub-Antarctic. In winter they move to breed in warmer ocean regions, in summer, they migrate in search of food in the South.
Description
The coloration of this species of whale is light brown to blue- black, with white spots can occur occasionally occur white male calves, which are not to albinos. In the head region, especially on the lower jaw to the blowhole above the eye and they have skin growths that are individually designed for each animal and can be used to distinguish between different individuals. They reach a length of up to 18 m and a weight of up to 80 t, where females are slightly larger than males. Like all whales they are ( which accounts for about a third of the body length), its large head and characterized by the absence of the fin.
Way of life
Southern right whales are rather on near islands or large land masses. Despite their size, they are considered as active animals. Like all baleen whales seven it the food with their beards and feed mainly on copepods and luminous cancers.
Reproduction
After about a year of gestation, the female gives birth in winter or spring (June -November) around a five to six meters long, from 1000 to 1500 -kg calf into the world. For protection from predators, the female takes birth in bays back. The calf grows very fast, up to three inches per day, and is approximately four to six months suckled. In the animal kingdom, the male right whale has the largest testicles, they make with 500 kg of 2 % of body weight from. In an ejaculation up to 20 liters of sperm are released.
Threat
Like right whales, the southern right whales were intensively hunted, their conviviality and their curiosity made them easy prey for whalers. Since then, the type 1937 was protected, the stocks begin to recover, on a somewhat larger extent than their northern relatives. The total population of the species is increasing and is estimated to be about 7000 copies.
Before the Argentine Peninsula Valdés kelp gulls have started in the last 30 years, to feed on the Südkapern. You land on the whales and pick parasites, loose piece of skin, but also healthy cuts of meat from or out of the whales. The gulls, have become for the whales, which raise their young in the region to a plague. The whales appear much more frequently than usual to get to safety before the gulls, and thereby wasting a lot of energy; just the Walmütter would for the rearing of their calves need plenty of rest. In addition, the gulls concentrate on the Walmütter and their calves, the more frequently need to come to the surface than the other whales.
Possibility of observation
Good viewing opportunities exist prior to the Valdes Peninsula in Argentina, as well as on the Brazilian coast, for example, in Laguna / Santa Catarina. Between June and December, you can see the whales from the shore and even better views from the boat. The whales and their calves come in large numbers to a few meters to the boat approach, the observation of jumping whales (see picture) is not uncommon. The Walker Bay with the towns of Hermanus and De Kelders especially in South Africa is ideal for the observation of these whales in the period from June to November. The whales arrive with their young approach to a few meters to the shore, so an observation of the boat is not absolutely necessary. The bay has been confirmed by UNESCO as the best Walbeobachtungsort. In Western Australia, on the beach of the city of Albany, you can see these whales play and jump. Mothers with calves and young whales like to come into the bays.