North Pacific right whale
Pacific right whales ( Eubalaena japonica)
The Pacific right whales ( Eubalaena japonica ) is a cetacean of the family of right whales ( Balaenidae ). The type was summed up recently with the Atlantic right whales in a common way right whales, DNA studies have shown, however, that it is a separate species.
Features
The Pacific right whales is externally indistinguishable from the Atlantic right whales, but with up to 18.5 meters, slightly longer, the females are slightly larger than males. The weight is up to 80 tons. Right whales are large, powerfully built and dark without fin or humpback whales. Only the abdomen in the genital area there is an irregular, variable between individuals white spot. The head is large and covered with calluses, which are individually designed for each animal. Most are less than in the Atlantic right whales. The mouth line is strongly curved. The flippers are large and spatulate with looming finger bones.
Way of life
Pacific right whales feed on Ruderfuß and other small crustaceans. There are slow but agile swimmers who jump frequently. The reproductive rate is low, females give birth only from the age of 6 to 12 every three to four years a calf.
Dissemination
The distribution area covers the northern Pacific from the Sea of Okhotsk to the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska. Rarely, the species is also seen off Mexico. The females give birth before Japan.
Threat
The Pacific right whales was just like the Atlantic right whales hunted intensively, especially after the collapse of Atlantic stocks. It is estimated that about 1839-1909 26500-37000 animals were killed. In the 1960s, about 500 more animals were caught illegally by Soviet whalers. Today accidents involving ships, entanglement in nets and pollution are the major causes of endangerment. The stock is estimated at approximately 400 animals in the Sea of Okhotsk and only about 30 animals in the eastern Pacific. The species as a whole, is on the Red List of endangered species as threatened ( Endangered ), the East Pacific population is considered endangered and it is uncertain whether they can ever recover again.