Hermanus in South Africa is also known as the best whale-watching spot in the world.

Southern Right Whales are easily distinguished from the other 2 baleen whales ( Humpback & Bryde’s whales ) by four distinct characteristics:

• Their large, robust bodies
• V-shaped blow,
• Large off-white callosities on their heads
• The lack of a dorsal fin on their broad backs.

They visit the South African Coast from June- December.

QUICK FACTS: SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALES

• Southern Right Whales can reach a maximum length of 14-17 meters and can weigh 40 – 60 tons.
• They have broad black tails and slightly rectangular-shaped flippers. with a pointed tip.
• The callosities are patches of raised calcified rough skin patches that over time become colonized by barnacles and whale lice ( giving them the whitish color)
• Southern Right Whales have extremely large heads that are approximately 30% of their body length.
• Mating behavior is often indicated by aggregations of 2-10 interacting animals that are conspicuous from the amount of splashing and exposure of heads, bodies & flippers at the surface. The grouping behavior can persist for an hour.

They were named “Right Whale” because they were perceived as “right” whales to hunt.

• They were slow swimmers and unable to dive for long periods of time and the fact that they usually lived close to shore.
• Once dead they float. These whales are very curious and will approach the boat- an easy target to harpoon.
• They provide a large amount of oil (from the blubber)

SOUTHER RIGHT WHALES 101 - CLICK HERE