White southern right whale calf underwater, Eubalaena australis

White southern right whale calf underwater, Eubalaena australis. About five per cent of southern right whales are born white due to a condition known as grey morphism and will gradually turn dark as they age.  They are not albino (which is a complete lack of pigmentation).  Sometimes referred to as "brindled", the white coloration is a recessive genetic trait and only lasts a few months.  Typically, but not always, white calves will become much darker as they mature but will still be somewhat lighter than normal even as adults. Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina, Eubalaena australis, natural history stock photograph, photo id 35908
White southern right whale calf underwater, Eubalaena australis. About five per cent of southern right whales are born white due to a condition known as grey morphism and will gradually turn dark as they age. They are not albino (which is a complete lack of pigmentation). Sometimes referred to as "brindled", the white coloration is a recessive genetic trait and only lasts a few months. Typically, but not always, white calves will become much darker as they mature but will still be somewhat lighter than normal even as adults. Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina

This image is featured in: Southern Right Whale White Calf, Peninsula Valdes, Argentina, Underwater Photos of Southern Right Whales, Eubalaena australis, Natural History Photography - Best Photos of 2019

Species: Southern Right Whale, Eubalaena australis
Location: Puerto Piramides, Chubut, Argentina
Image ID: 35908
Format: Digital 2:3
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