In order to better understand how right whales are related to other whales and other animals, it is easiest to look at their taxonomic classifications.
Taxonomy is the way that scientists name animals.
The chart below shows the classification of Northern and Southern right whales. It should be noted that the current right whale taxonomic classification is uncertain. We have listed the most current classification that suggests that right whales are one species with two subspecies although the validity of the subspecies is questionable. The chart below contains Southern right whale classification. This site was created by Laura Drumm and the National Marine Mammal Laboratory .