The southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) is a large baleen whale known for its distinctive appearance, behaviours, and migratory patterns. Adults can grow up to 16 to 18 metres (52 to 59 feet) in length and weigh as much as 80 tons. Their colouration is primarily black, often with white patches on the belly, and they are characterised by callosities—unique rough patches of skin on their heads that serve as individual identifiers. These callosities host colonies of whale lice, adding to the whale's distinctive appearance. Southern right whales are slow swimmers with broad, arched mouths equipped with baleen plates that filter feed on tiny crustaceans such as krill and copepods.

These whales inhabit temperate and subantarctic waters of the Southern Hemisphere. Calving usually occurs in sheltered bays, with females typically birthing every three to five years after a gestation period of about 12 months. Newborn calves measure around four to six metres (13 to 20 feet) at birth and grow rapidly, nourished by their mother's rich milk.

Southern right whales are known for their surface behaviours, which include breaching, tail-slapping, and spy hopping. They are generally solitary or travel in small groups, with larger gatherings observed in breeding areas. Historically, their slow swimming and tendency to stay near the surface made them easy targets for whalers, leading to severe population declines.