Whale News: What's happening with #2030?
The bones of right whale #2030 are being assembled throughout the summer in PRI's greenhouse. The skull (right) has been fortified (below left) and all bones have been weighed. Skeleton assemblers are working with Ithaca engineer, Peter Novelli, to make sure that the mounting materials can withstand the enormous weight of the bones!
The 842 1b. skull of right whale #2030 rests on a custom-made cradle in PRI's greenhouse.
 

Cleverly disguised bolts (left) have been placed in several weak spots to strengthen the skull. They are painted to match the surrounding bone.

The 7 cervical vertebrae (right) of a right whale are fused together ...our cervical vertebrae, which make up our neck, are not fused. All mammals have 7 cervical vertebrae except the sloth and the manatee...they have only 6!
A whale's vertebrae get smaller and smaller towards the tail. Shown above are the smallest of the 23 caudal vertebrae.
  
The bumpy growths (above) found on the cervical vertebrae indicate arthritis.
  
A front view of the seven fused cervical vertebrae. The hole through the middle is the opening for the nerve cord.

Read about other whales in the news at the Center for Coastal Studies

last updated 6/04/01
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