Bowhead whale: quick facts
The bowhead is a massive Arctic baleen whale that spends its whole life in icy northern waters, using its enormous bowed head to break through sea ice to breathe. It is believed to be the longest-lived mammal on Earth, with some individuals exceeding 200 years, and it filter-feeds on tiny zooplankton.
Scientific name
Balaena mysticetus
Group
Baleen whale
Length
About 14–18 m
Weight
Up to ~100,000 kg
Lifespan
200+ years
Diet
Zooplankton (copepods, krill) — filter feeder
Range
Arctic & subarctic, circumpolar
Population
~25,000+
Conservation
Least Concern
Sources: NOAA Fisheries — Bowhead Whale; IUCN Red List — Bowhead (Balaena mysticetus). Educational information only. See our sources & fact-check policy.