Bowhead Whale

## Description

The bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus ) is a species of baleen whale belonging to the family Balaenidae and the only living representative of the genus Balaena. They are the only baleen whale endemic to the Arctic and subarctic waters, and are named after their characteristic massive triangular skull, which they use to break through Arctic ice. Other common names of the species are the Greenland right whale or Arctic whale. American whalemen called them the steeple-top, polar whale, or Russia or Russian whale.

Bowheads have the largest mouth of any animal representing almost one-third of the length of the body, the longest baleen plates with a maximum length of 4 metres (13 feet) and may be the longest-lived mammals, with the ability to reach an age of more than 200 years.

The bowhead was an early whaling target. Their population was severely reduced before a 1966 moratorium was passed to protect the species. Of the five stocks of bowhead populations, three are listed as "endangered", one as "vulnerable", and one as "lower risk, conservation dependent" according to the IUCN Red List. The global population is assessed as of least concern.

## Appearance

The Bowhead whale has this name due to its bow-shaped mouth. It is black with a whitish patch on its chin, which features a 'necklace' of spots that are black. It lacks a dorsal fin. Its coloring is dark gray to black and it is the longest of all whales. It is usually observed as two bumps above the water, being its head and its back. The blow (or spout) comes from two widely-spaced blowholes, a bushy V seven meters high.

## Distribution

The bowhead is the only whale of the baleens to spend its whole life in arctic and sub-arctic seas. The Alaskan population spends the winter months in the southwestern Bering Sea. The group migrates northward in the spring, following openings in the ice, into the Chukchi and Beaufort seas. The whale's range varies depending on climate changes and on the forming/melting of ice.

## Behavior

Bowhead whales swim slowly and usually travel on their own or in small herds with up to six animals. They may stay beneath the surface for up to forty minutes for a dive, but they are not regarded as deep divers. They are highly vocal, using underwater sounds to communicate when traveling, feeding, and socializing. Bowheads can make long repetitive songs, which could be mating displays. This whale’s behavior includes breaching, spy-hopping, and tail slapping. A behavior unique to this species is that it will use its exceptionally large head to break through the ice, especially pieces that are thick.

## Diet

Bowheads eat mostly zooplankton, including copepods and little shrimp-like animals about 1-3 mm long called euphausiids.

## Reproduction

Bowhead whales are polyandrous, one female having a relationship with one or more males. Mating usually takes place from late winter to early spring. Spring migration occurs soon after this, and calves are born between April and June, with most of them in May. After a gestation lasting 13-14 months, one calf is born. It is fed with milk from its mother until it is weaned, this occurring 9-15 months after birth. Once the births have taken place, whales divide into groups to migrate. Mothers with their calves are in the group at the front. This could be to enable them to be the first to feed on food that is encountered. The birthing interval is 3-4 years. Sexual maturity may not be attained until they are 20 years old.

## Population

### Threats

Current threats include ongoing hunting by aboriginal people, collisions with ships, and getting tangled in fishing nets. Pollution, climate change, and being disturbed by tourists and vessels are also probably having detrimental effects on these whales.

### Number

According to International Whaling Commission's most recent estimate in 2011-2012, the total population size of bowhead whales is about 17,000 individuals in North Pacific and 1,300 in North Atlantic. The global population of bowhead whales appears to be increasing and it is classified as least concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.

## Fun Facts

The water a bowhead whale spouts from its blowhole is not water it has inhaled because that would go into the whale's lungs and cause it to drown. It is water that has gathered outside the whale's blowhole which is forced upwards when the whale exhales forcefully.

Bowhead whales have been known to hold their breath for as much as 40 minutes when exploring the bottom of the ocean or searching for food.

The bowhead whale is the second heaviest animal on the Earth, next to the blue whale.

The bowhead whale is one of the longest living animals on the planet; some of them can live up to 200 years.

The bowhead whale has a layer of blubber1½ feet thick that protects it from the freezing cold Arctic waters.

The mouth of the bowhead has baleen plates of up to 15 feet in length. It uses these to filter its food from the ocean water.