(Image credit: David Donnelly )

The Southern Right whale is a large stocky whale that is largely dark in colour with patches of raised white skin known as callosities around the head and jawline. Patches of white may be present on the belly and to a lesser extend on the back. The pectoral fins are large and a squared paddle shape. The dorsal fin is absent in the species and the flukes are broad and pointed at the tips with a smooth trailing edge and deep notch. The blow of a southern right whale is V-shape and can be 5m tall. Log this species wherever it is spotted in Victorian waters.

Length: Up to 17 m

Habitat

Coastal, sometimes offshore; 2-175 m depth

Log it

Log this species wherever it is spotted throughout Australia

Related links/info

Species names on the Redmap site are based on the Codes for Australian Aquatic Biota or CAAB (http://www.cmar.csiro.au/caab/). This is updated regularly and lists the approved common name, family, species name and more.

Species descriptions were provided by David Donnelly.

For more information:

http://www.dolphinresearch.org.au/