Southern right whales are large black whales between 14-16m in length that can weigh between 40-60 tonnes. These whales lack a dorsal fin, unlike most large whales. One of the most distinguishing features of the Southern right whales is the scattering of “callosities” on their head. These callosities are simply rough patches of skin on which barnacles and whale lice live. Each whale has a unique pattern of these callosities on their head, and the patterns prove useful as mechanisms for individual identification (either visually or by examining photos). When born, calves average between 4-6m in length and 1 ton in weight. The whales have large square-shaped black flippers and a large tail fin that can reach 7m in width. Approximately 4% of Southern right whales are born mostly white in colour; this colour typically becomes a grey/brindle colour in adults. When southern right whales are sighted, either at sea or from the coast, their identity is often facilitated by their ” V” shaped blow, due to the positioning of their two blowholes.

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