Fact Sheet
North Atlantic Right Whale
Threats to Right Whales
Human activities continue to pose the greatest threat to right whale survival today.
In 2011 alone, at least four adult right whales were killed, including twofrom injuries related to entanglement in fishing gear and one as the result of a ship strike.
More on North Atlantic Right Whale: What Defenders Is Doing to Help Right Whales »
More on North Atlantic Right Whale:
Fast Facts
Length 45-55 ft.
Weight Up to 70 tons; females are larger than males.
Lifespan 50-100 years.
Range Map
Click to enlarge » Protection Status
Endangered Species Act:
Endangered
IUCN Red List:
Endangered
CITES:
Appendix I
You may also be interested in:
Fact Sheet
Whales belong to the order cetacea, which includes whales, dolphins and porpoises. Whales are divided into two suborders: baleen and toothed whales.
In the Magazine
Help is on the way for right whales in crowded East Coast shipping lanes
In the Magazine
Lynx Driven to the Brink; The Right Thing to Do; Living with Wildlife
Animals & Habitats
Browse all of our animal and habitat fact sheets.
Get Instant Alerts & Updates
Enter email address
Enter mobile number
On the Blog
February 21, 2013 | 10.50 AM
December 4, 2012 | 9.12 AM
June 28, 2012 | 3.23 PM