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Phoenix’s Callosities

A close up view of Phoenix and the rough patches of skin known as callosities that are found on all North Atlantic right whales.
(New England Aquarium)

A close up view of Phoenix and the rough patches of skin known as callosities that are found on all North Atlantic right whales. These callosities are inhabited by small amphipods called whale lice and they can be used to identify an individual right whale much like fingerprints. More about the right whale can be found in our Tale of a Whale featured story.