The number of recorded births each year. Assuming that the population in 1996 was 300, graph the percentage of increase in the right whale population that the births represent each year. A female right whale reaches reproductive maturity between seven and ten years old. The right whale population total is 300 whales, with an estimated 70 breeding females. Females reproduce every one to three years.
Females carry and give birth to only one calf at a time.
Although it is difficult to determine right whale longevity, researchers estimate life spans at around 30 years, however there are known cases of 65 years. Describe the different visual picture each graph gives you. Scientists refer year after year to the number 300 when describing the population. Think about what each graph means. Copyright 2001 Journey North.