Species profile
North Atlantic Right Whale
Eubalaena glacialis
Identify North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 2 jurisdictions.
At a glance
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) is an IUCN Critically Endangered marine mammal regulated in 3 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Confirmed by 258 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Massachusetts, Florida, and New Brunswick the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Fewer than 400 individuals survive, making it one of Earth's most endangered large animals.
- Adults can reach 45 feet long and weigh up to 70 tons.
- Named by whalers because it floated when killed, swam slowly, and yielded abundant oil.
- Feeds almost exclusively on tiny copepods called Calanus finmarchicus, filtering millions daily.
- Each whale's unique head callosities serve as fingerprints for individual identification.
Where North Atlantic Right Whale are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for North Atlantic Right Whale
Background
The North Atlantic right whale is a baleen whale, one of three right whale species belonging to the genus Eubalaena, all of which were formerly classified as a single species. Because of their docile nature, their slow surface-skimming feeding behaviors, their tendencies to stay close to the coast, and their high blubber content, right whales were once a preferred target for whalers. At present,…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's North Atlantic Right Whale article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Frequently asked questions
What is North Atlantic Right Whale?
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) is an IUCN Critically Endangered marine mammal regulated in 3 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for North Atlantic Right Whale?
North Atlantic Right Whale is Eubalaena glacialis.
Is North Atlantic Right Whale regulated for fishing?
Yes — North Atlantic Right Whale has fishing regulations in 2 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify North Atlantic Right Whale?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes North Atlantic Right Whale along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.