Reproduction
--- the right whale gestation
period is about 12 months and the calf is born tail first (this is normal
for cetaceans) and near the surface
--- the newborn instinctively swims to the surface within 10 seconds for its first breath;
it is helped by its mother, using her flippers
--- within 30 minutes of its birth the baby whale can swim
--- the newborn calf is about 16-19 feet long
--- twins are rare; there is usually one calf
--- the baby is nurtured with its mother's milk and is weaned in about 1 year when
the calf is
roughly 28 feet long