Although the bowhead whale has thousands of times more cells than other mammals, the whale has a much higher resistance to cancer and aging. It was previously believed the more cells present in an organism, the greater the chances of mutations that cause age related diseases and cancer. This discovery showed the longevity of the bowhead whale is much greater than originally thought. Other bowhead whales were estimated to be between 135 and 172 years old. Spurred by this discovery, scientists measured the ages of other bowhead whales one specimen was estimated to be 211 years old. The whale's age at the time of death was estimated at between 115 and 130 years. According to one analysis, the whale was probably harpooned sometime between 18. The harpoon was probably manufactured in New Bedford, Massachusetts, a major whaling center at the time, and experts estimated that the wound was inflicted around 1890. In May 2007, a 15 m (49 ft) specimen caught off the Alaskan coast was discovered with the 3.5 in (89 mm) head of an explosive harpoon of a model manufactured between 18. Health Lifespanīowhead whales are known to be among the longest-living mammals, living for over 200 years. A newborn calf is typically 4–4.5 m (13–15 ft) long, weighs approximately 1,000 kg (2,200 lb), and grows to 8.2 m (27 ft) within the first year. Within 30 minutes of birth, bowhead calves are able to swim on their own. To survive in the cold water immediately after birth, calves are born with a thick layer of blubber. The gestation period is 13–14 months with females producing a calf once every three to four years. Reproduction can begin when a whale is 10 to 15 years old. Breeding season is observed from March through August conception is believed to occur primarily in March when song activity is at its highest. Mating occurs between pairs and in boisterous groups of several males and one or two females. During breeding season, bowheads make long, complex, variable songs for mating calls. Intense calls for communication and navigation are produced especially during migration season. Vocalizationīowhead whales are highly vocal and use low frequency (<1000 Hz) sounds to communicate while traveling, feeding, and socializing. While foraging, bowheads are solitary or occur in groups of two to ten or more.

Approximately 2 short tons (1.8 long tons 1.8 t) of food is consumed each day. The diet consists of mostly zooplankton which includes copepods, amphipods, and many other crustaceans. To feed, water is filtered through the fine hairs of keratin of the baleen plates, trapping the prey inside near the tongue where it is then swallowed.

This also prevents buckling or breakage of the plates from the pressure of the water passing through them as the whale advances. The mouth has a large upturning lip on the lower jaw that helps to reinforce and hold the baleen plates within the mouth. The whale has hundreds of overlapping baleen plates consisting of keratin hanging from each side of the upper jaw. Bowhead whales are filter feeders, feeding by swimming forward with mouth wide open. The head of the bowhead whale comprises a third of its body length, creating an enormous feeding apparatus. During periods of feeding, the average swim speed is reduced to 1.1–2.5 m/s (3.6–8.2 ft/s). When fleeing from danger, they can travel at a speed of 10 km/h (6.2 mph). These whales are slow swimmers, normally traveling at about 2–5 km/h (1.2–3.1 mph). Bowheads are not thought to be deep divers but they can reach a depth of up to 500 ft (150 m). However, the time spent underwater in a single dive is usually limited to 9–18 minutes. They are able to dive and remain submerged underwater for up to an hour. Bowhead whales are not social animals, typically traveling alone or in small pods of up to 6.