How long can a bowhead whale live, according to evidence from ageing studies?

A bowhead whale can live for more than 200 years, according to evidence from ageing studies.

Bowhead whales are among the longest-lived mammals known. Scientists have estimated their ages using growth layers in tissues, chemical indicators in the eye lens and the discovery of old stone harpoon fragments embedded in whales harvested in modern times. Some estimates place the oldest individuals at over two centuries old.

Their exceptional longevity is associated with a slow life history. Bowheads grow slowly, mature late compared with many smaller mammals and invest heavily in survival in Arctic and sub-Arctic waters. Their large bodies and thick blubber also help them endure seasonal sea ice.

Age estimates are not obtained by simply counting visible rings as one might with a tree. Different methods have uncertainties, so “more than 200 years” is the safest concise description rather than a claim that every old bowhead reaches one exact age.