How old can bow-head whales live?

Answer 1

LifespanBowheads were once thought to live 60 to 70 years, similar to other whales. However, discoveries of 19th century ivory, slate, and jade spear points in freshly killed whales in 1993, 1995, 1999, and 2007[10] triggered research based on structures in the whale's eye, suggesting at least some individuals reached 150-200 years old (another report claimed a 90 year old female was still fertile).[11] The amino acid racemizationprocess has provided the scientific basis for these claims. This process is controversial and has failed to correlate well with other dating methods.[12]

In May 2007, a 50 tonnes (49 long tons; 55 short tons) specimen caught off the Alaskan coast was discovered with the head of an explosive harpoon embedded deep under its neck blubber. The 3.5 inches (89 mm) arrow-shaped projectile was manufactured in New Bedford, Massachusetts, a major whaling center, around 1890, suggesting the animal may have survived a similar hunt more than a century ago.[13][14][15]

Answer 2

Bow head whales have a life expectancy of at least 40 years perhaps longer.

Answer 3

The life span of a bowhead whale is 150 to 200 years old.