Whale (19 K)

The Southern Right Whale
The Franca Whale is one of the 11 species of big whales that exist in the world. They are mammals completely adapted to an aquatic life. There they are born, they feed, they reproduce and they breastfeed their kids. Related to the dolphins, the whales differ from these because they have beards instead of teeth and they feed by filtering the water. They are black, with some white stains in the abdomen. The mature males measure 12 meters and the females 13,5 meters, some females can measure up to16 meters. Their weight oscillates between 30 and 35 tons.

The whales lack the dorsal fin, they have big pectoral fins and the tail fin can be up to 5 meters wide. It breathes through two holes, located above the head where it expelles the air in two high jets.
The head is 25% of the body which has curious spots. The form and distribution of these spots differ in each individual and the scientists identify the animals by means of these spots.
When they feed, the whales swim with the open mouth the water enters through the mouth and plankton and krill get trapped in the beard.
The whales feed mainly on plankton: tiny marine animals that include crustaceans and other spineless creatures. The whales practically do not feed in the waters of the Península de Valdés. They feed in unknown places in the South Atlantic in summer and autumn and then return in winter and spring to raise their calves.
The females have a calf every 3 years. When they are born they grow 3,5 cm a day in the first months.
Some of the frequent behaviours of the whales include wags and spectacular jumps, the meaning of which is ignored, but it is probably related with their communication.