| GENERAL
DESCRIPTION |
The bowhead whale is an Arctic baleen
whale, a right whale with a large, bow-shaped head that
is up to 40% of its body length. The arched mouth is up
to 10 feet (3 m) wide and 20 feet (6 m) deep. The eyes are
very small and lips are huge. Bowheads live in pods, are
rich in blubber
(a subcutaneous layer 20-inch (50 cm) thick in places),
and have 2 blowholes.
|
| REPRODUCTION |
The bowhead gestation period
is about 12-16 months and the calf
is born tail first (this is normal for cetaceans)
and near the surface. The newborn instinctively swims to the
surface within 10 seconds for its first breath; it is helped
by its mother, using her flippers. Within 30 minutes of its
birth the baby whale can swim. The newborn calf is about 17
feet long and weighs about 5-6 tons (4.5-5.4 tonnes). Twins
are rare; there is usually one calf. The baby is nurtured
with its mother's milk and is weaned in about 1 year. The
mother and calf may stay together for a year or longer. Bowhead
whales reach puberty at 6 years. |
| MIGRATION |
|
Bowhead whales stay in arctic waters, making a northern
migration in the spring to rich feeding waters. They migrate
south again in the fall to breed and calve. Migrating speeds
range from 2-7 mph (3.2-11 kph).
|
| VOCALIZATION |
Bowhead whales vocalize when on migrations, mostly between
the frequencies of 50-300 Hertz. The songs may be used for
locating large masses of krill (tiny crustaceans that they
eat) and for communicating with other whales.
|
| SOCIAL
GROUPS |
|
Bowhead whales are not extremely social and
congregate in small pods of about 3 whales in the spring and
pods of about 50 whales in the fall |
|
| Protection:Urgent |
 |
| Clasification |
| |
Name |
Balaena
mysticetus |
Distribution
Area |
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