The Balaenidae contains two living genera (Balaena and Eubalaena) with 2-4 species. The Pygmy Right Whale (Caperea marginata) was recently removed to a family of its own, the Neobalaenidae. The Balaena and Eubalaena are found throughout temperate and polar waters; the former is confined to the Northern Hemisphere. All species move into warmer or ice-free waters during the winter. Balaenids are robust whales, with large heads, narrow and arched upper jaws with long baleen plates, short and broad flippers, and no dorsal fin. They measure 15-18 m, and weigh 50,000-100,000 kg. The Balaenidae are filter-feeders consuming small planktonic crustaceans, primarily copepods. These whales have not yet recovered from commercial whaling and are further threatened by marine pollution and collisions with ships; 1-2 species are critically endangered.

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