A pair of southern right whales were spotted enjoying the cool waters of the Atlantic Seaboard this week. Nanette Smith, who shared footage of the duo on the South Peninsula Whale Watchers Facebook group, captured them seemingly playing a game of peek-a-boo.
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Take a look:


While this duo is either slightly late to last year’s party or way ahead of schedule for this year’s gathering, hundreds of these gentle giants migrate from the icy Antarctic to the warm waters of Walker Bay every year, between June and December, to mate, calve and raise their young.


Southern right whales are marvels to witness. At an average length of 13 to 15 metres for males and 16 metres for females, they are among the largest whale species, according to Greenpeace. They typically weigh about 40 tonnes each.
These calm creatures can live up to 100 years old and communicate by jumping and splashing their fins in the water.
Unfortunately, southern right whales are affected by the industrial fishing industry. Greenpeace reports that fishing techniques can have a degrading impact on the ecosystems these whales live in.


Between June and October every year, they put on a spectacular showcase on the Cape Whale Coast (Hermanus). Thousands of visitors drive to the seaside town to watch them frolic in the ocean; they are playful in nature and everyone is guaranteed a theatrical performance.
You can also witness the mammals birth and take care of their newborn calves during this season. It’s indeed a sight to behold.


How to spot them?
They are recognised by callosities (barnacle-like formations) on their heads and blowholes. Four percent of them are completely white when they are born and some stay white. They also have a distinctive v-shaped blowhole on their heads.

Unknown fact:
Southern rights suffer from sunburn and skin cancer and therefore shy away from bright and warm days.

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Picture: Nanette Smith / Facebook