North Atlantic Right Whale

The North Atlantic right whale is a stocky baleen whale with a broad back, no dorsal fin and rough pale patches on its head. It feeds by filtering tiny marine animals through long baleen plates while moving slowly through food-rich water. The head patches, called callosities, help researchers recognize individuals. Coastal waters are important to its feeding and breeding movements. Mothers give birth to a single calf, which remains close while nursing and learning to travel.