Story: Whales

Southern right whale feeding

The southern right whale belongs to the baleen whale group, which have bristly plates (baleen) in their mouths. The plates are made of keratin, which is also found in human hair and fingernails. At Campbell Island, one of the breeding grounds of the southern right whale, this whale uses its baleen to sieve for krill.

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How to cite this page:

Gerard Hutching, 'Whales - Whales in New Zealand', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/7077/southern-right-whale-feeding (accessed 23 April 2024)

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 12 Jun 2006