February 24, 2024 — An endangered North Atlantic right whale that’s been frequently sighted in Cape Cod Bay was recently seen swimming with her new calf down south.
“Skittle” and her calf were spotted east of Kure Beach in North Carolina on Feb. 16. Skittle is often seen swimming in Cape Cod Bay in March.
It’s believed Skittle is at least 23 years old and gave birth to her first calf in 2010, but that calf likely did not survive. The New England Aquarium explains that Skittle gets her name from her skin pattern that resembles a bowling pin used in the British sport of Skittles.