5 calves of highly endangered whale species spotted off SC coast so far this season. Here’s where
Nearly two dozen North Atlantic right whale calves have been documented so far this calving season, a milestone for one of the world’s most endangered whale species.
According to Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, Florida, 22 right whale calves have been documented so far, marking the first time in 15 years that more than 20 calves have been recorded in a single season.
North Atlantic right whales remain critically endangered, with an estimated population of about 380, including roughly 70 reproductively active females, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries. Because the population is so small, researchers closely monitor the waters each year for new calves.
Every North Atlantic right whale is assigned a unique four-digit number. They are identified by their callosity patterns – hardened, raised patches of skin, typically found on the head that are unique to each whale.
Here’s how many right whale moms with calves have been spotted off the South Carolina coast so far this season. The names are given to the mothers, and calves are named once they reach adulthood.
Giza
The latest whale sighting off the South Carolina coast was on Jan. 20, when Giza was spotted 17 miles east of Charleston with her calf. She was named for the three pyramids of Giza because of the similar placement of the callosity features on the right side of her head.
NOAA says that Giza is at least 26 years old, and this is her fourth known calf. This was the 20th calf spotting of the season. Giza’s last calf was born in 2021, and her first calf, Hopscotch, was born in 2008.
Hopscotch had her first calf in 2024, making Giza a grandmother.
Mantis
Mantis was spotted on Dec. 26, 18 miles east of Kiawah Island.
She was named for her callosity pattern, which resembles a mantis shrimp. Mantis is at least 40 years old, and was spotted with her eighth calf. Her last one was born in 2022.
Her daughter, Squilla, also calved this year, making Mantis both a new mother and a grandmother, NOAA states.
Squilla
On Dec. 11, Squilla and her new calf were spotted 10 miles east of Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse.
She is 19 years old, and this is her second known calf. Her name comes from her callosity pattern, which resembles the eyes of a Squilla mantis shrimp.
Squilla last calved in 2021.
Uca
On Dec. 23, Uca and her new calf were seen 15 miles east of Hilton Head.
Uca was named after the fiddler crab, because her right-side callosity is bigger than her left, reminiscent of the lopsided claws of a fiddler crab. Uca is the scientific Latin name for the species.
She is at least 23 years old, and this is her second known calf.
Callosity Back
Callosity Back is named for her unique callosity feature, as she is the only documented whale with a callosity on her back. She was spotted on Dec. 4, 28 miles east of Pawleys Island.
Callosity Back is 19 years old, and this is her first known calf.
Folks can view all mother-calf photos and stories from previous seasons on NOAA’s archive page.
About the North Atlantic right whale
The right whale calving season typically begins in mid-November and continues through mid-April.
Each fall, some right whales migrate more than 1,000 miles from their feeding grounds off New England and Canada to the warmer, shallow coastal waters of the southeastern United States, the only known region where North Atlantic right whales regularly give birth to and nurse their calves.
In the last decade, NOAA says there have been more North Atlantic right whale deaths than births.
Since 2017, more than 20% of the population has been sick, injured or killed, which NOAA calls an unusual mortality event. This means that every female and calf spotted is vital to this endangered species’ recovery.
The primary causes are entanglements in fishing gear and collisions with boats and ships, NOAA states.
If you see a right whale, report it NOAA’s sighting webpage, found here.
