Which whale species has the longest known lifespan, over 200 years?

The bowhead whale has the longest known lifespan among whale species, with individuals living for more than 200 years.

Bowheads are Arctic baleen whales built for life in cold, ice-covered seas. Their enormous, strongly curved skulls can help them break through thin sea ice, while their thick blubber provides insulation. They feed by filtering small prey from seawater with exceptionally long baleen plates, and their large heads make up a remarkable share of their body length.

Evidence for their extraordinary age came from several lines of research. In one famous case, an Alaskan bowhead was found with part of an explosive lance manufactured in the late nineteenth century embedded in its body. Other age estimates, including chemical analysis of tissues, placed one whale at roughly 211 years old. Genetic research has suggested that the species’ maximum natural lifespan could potentially approach 268 years, although such estimates are not the same as a directly observed age.

Bowheads are also studied for their apparent resistance to cancer and age-related damage. Their long lives may be connected to unusually effective DNA-repair mechanisms, making them important subjects in longevity research.