![Northern Right Whale - Balaena glacialis Northern Right Whale - Balaena glacialis](../images/Creature_Images/906.jpg)
Photo by
Chris Slay
The northern right whale is very robust and lacks a dorsal fin. Its head comprises approximate one-third its body length and is often covered in wart-like growths. Its body is primarily black with various white markings on its underside. The northern right whale grows to 60 feet and can weigh up to 60 tons. It typically travels in groups of 2-3 and feeds by skimming water at the surface.
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Northern Right Whale
(Balaena glacialis)
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![Distribution Distribution](../images/Encyclopedia_btn_03.gif) |
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North Atlantic: Greenland to Florida and Texas |
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![Habitat Habitat](../images/Encyclopedia_btn_08.gif) |
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Temperate waters |
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![Diet Diet](../images/Encyclopedia_btn_06.gif) |
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Zooplankton, especially copepods |
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![Status Status](../images/Encyclopedia_btn_10.gif)
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The status of this species is
representative of the populations within the waters of this Sanctuary only, not global populations. |
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![Quick Fact Quick Fact](../images/Encyclopedia_btn_12.gif) |
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The northern right whale is endangered because it is often hit and killed by boats because of its slow movements and surface-feeding behavior. |
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![Learn More Learn More](../images/Encyclopedia_btn_18.gif) |
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- NOAA
- Cetacea.org
- The University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
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