The size of a Bowhead Whale compared
to an average human
Bowhead Whale Range Map
(Arctic & Subarctic Waters)
Latin Name
Balaena mysticetus
Conservation Status
Conservation Dependent
Location
Arctic & Subarctic Waters
Colour
Grey/Black
Length
14 - 18 m (45 - 60 ft)
Weight
50 - 60 tonnes (49.5 - 59 tons)
Life Expectancy
Well Over 100 Yrs
Main Characteristics
Bowhead Whales are between 14 and 18 m (45 - 60 ft) in length and they weigh between 50 and 60 tonnes (49.5 - 59 tons). They are grey/black in colour and their huge head is almost one third of their total body length.
They have strongly curved or "bowed" jaws, hence their name. On each side of their upper jaw they have 240 - 340 brown or blue/black baleen plates that reach lengths of up to 4.5 m (14.8 ft) - the longest of any whale.
Habitat
Bowhead Whales are found in Arctic and subarctic waters.
Diet
Bowhead Whales feed on crustaceans and they consume around 1,800 kgs (3,970 lbs) of food per day.
Breeding
Bowhead Whales breed in late spring or early summer and after a gestation period of 13 - 14 months a single calf is born. At birth the calf is 4 - 4.5 m (13 - 15 ft) in length and they are nursed for 6 - 12 months.
The birthing interval for Bowhead Whales is 3 - 4 years, but it can occasionally be as long as 7 years.
