Whales

Pygmy Right Whale - Caperea marginata

The Pygmy Right Whale is the smallest of all the baleen whales, reaching a maximum length of only 4m to 6.5m. The ‘baleen’ category is determined by the filtering plates that exist instead of teeth. These have broom-like bristles, which act to filter the water they draw into their mouths and trap valuable food in the mouth.

The Pygmy Right Whale is seldom researched as it is quite a recluse as far as these creatures go. Therefore, not that much is known about this whale. The body is dark grey, with a lighter belly. V-shaped markings are lighter, and are situated behind each of the eyes. An adult Pygmy Right Whale usually weighs about 3.5 tons, while the length and weight of a newborn remains unknown, as does the nursing period. In addition, the longevity or life-span of the Pygmy Right Whale is also unknown.

The jawline is not as distinct as other species, although it is arched. In fact, the most pronounced feature of the Pygmy Right Whale that should be used to identify it is the cream-coloured baleen plates and white gumline in its mouth. This pygmy also does not have callosities, or patches of hardened skin, which usually appear as lighter patches in other species of whale. The dorsal fin is sickle-shaped, or curved. The tail fin has not been seen to break the water’s surface completely, which is an interesting difference between the Pygmy Right Whale and Minke Whales.

The relatively small whale swims the Southern Ocean of the lower Southern hemisphere, favouring waters of between 5ْC and 20ْC. In these waters, the Pygmy Right Whale feeds on copepods and euphausiids, both being forms of crustaceans. This whale’s blow is indistinct and small, making it rather difficult to spot in the open waters. It will generally be found swimming in a slow, heaving manner, with regular rises and falls. Occasionally, it will display a sudden acceleration, but it is not known for being agile or acrobatic.

Exact numbers of the Pygmy Right Whale are unknown as there have been fewer than 20 encounters with it in the last decade. It is speculated that there exists a resident group of these pygmies off the coast of Tasmania.

Because the Pygmy Right Whale is small and prefers to stay out of sight, it has been spared the horrors of excessive whaling that has plagued these gentle giants since before the 11th century. Unfortunately, a few have been caught and killed in fishing nets.

The shy Pygmy Right Whale has also escaped many whale-watching tours by keeping to themselves. This has probably proved to be very beneficial to their ongoing elusiveness and, therefore, protection.