Bowhead Whale: World's Longest Living Whale
By: EjazUlHaqBhat
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The bowhead whale is the world's longest-living whale and one of the longest-lived animals on Earth
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Scientists estimate that bowhead whales can live to be over 200 years old, and possibly up to 211 years
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This is based on the recovery of stone harpoon tips from harvested bowheads, and analysis of eye tissue
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Bowhead whales have several factors that contribute to their long lifespan, including gene mutations
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Scientists believe that living in Arctic conditions is the reason for the bowhead's slow growth rate and longer life
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It's also thought that these whales have unusually effective DNA repair processes, which can reduce them developing terminal diseases, such as cancer
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Bowheads have the longest baleen (filter-feeding system) of any baleen whale, up to 13 feet long. They use their baleen to filter plankton from the water
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They can grow up to 60 feet long and weigh up to 100 tons. They can eat up to 2 tons of food per day
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