Bowhead Whale
Arctic dweller endangered by insiduous threats
Common Name: Bowhead whale, greenland right whale; Baleine de grande baie, baleine du Groenland(Fr); Ballena Boreal, ballena de Groenlandia(Sp)
Scientific Name: Balaena mysticetus
Population: Approximately 10,000
Background
This predominantly Arctic species has suffered from severe over-exploitation that has seen its range shrink considerably since the 17th Century.
In Canada, WWF has completed a conservation strategy for populations of the eastern Arctic with experts from native Nunavut communities, co-management and wildlife boards, the federal fisheries department and bowhead whale scientists.
Physical Description
The bowhead is a mysticete whale, a suborder of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) characterized by rows of baleen plates for feeding on plankton, a symmetrical skull and paired blowholes. The species is recognized by its large skull (it represents about a third of its body length), and the prominent upturned lower jaw. There are two rows of about 300 vertical baleen plates, which at 9 - 14 feet are the largest of any whale. There is no dorsal fin.
With these large heads and powerful bodies, bowhead whales are capable of breaking through sea ice at least 8 inches thick: Inuit hunters in Alaska have reported whales surfacing through 23 inches of ice.
Size
Adult bowheads have an average length of 50 - 60 feet, with a particularly large specimen reported at 65 feet and over 11 tons in weight.
Color
Adult bowheads are entirely black except the front part of the lower jaw which is whitish. There are white patches on the belly and a gray area at the beginning of the tail.
Habitat
Biogeographic realm
Nearctic, Palearctic.
Range States
Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Japan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea, Norway, Russian Federation, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, United States.
Ecological Region
Bering-Beaufort-Chukchi Seas, Barents-Kara Seas, Grand Banks.
Interesting Facts
The bowhead can leap entirely out of the water.
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