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Whales are identifiable by their distinct pattern of callosities.
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Whale Callosities

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A green mahi-mahi fish underwater
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Up Close with a Mahi Mahi

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Walter Adey and the NMNH coral reef tank
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Walter Adey and Coral Reef Tank

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The rough patches of skin known as callosities occur in unique patterns on all North Atlantic right whales and help researchers identify and track individual whales. This whale is named Phoenix.
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Close Up of Phoenix’s Callosities

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Since 1987, researchers have been tracking Phoenix.
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Meet Phoenix—One of about 450 remaining North Atlantic Right Whales

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Spotfin lionfish in Caribbean waters
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Spotfin Lionfish

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Aerial view of a North Atlantic right whale mother and calf.
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North Atlantic Right Whale - Pico and Calf

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Thumbnail of a schematic of an island, boat, and a Right Whale.
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Ocean Optimism Video - Slow Down For Right Whales

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Phoenix the right whale diving in North Atlantic.
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Right Whale Tail

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Phoenix rises out of the waters east of Cape Cod, MA, in April 2003.
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Can Right Whales Recover?

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In December 2003, researchers spot Phoenix off the coast of Florida with her second calf.
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Phoenix and Second Calf

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In 1996, at age nine, Phoenix has her first calf (North Atlantic right whale #2605) off the southeast coast of Florida.
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Phoenix and First Calf

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