Whales are one of the largest animals on the planet, but did you know they also have an incredibly long lifespan? Some whales survive up to the same age as humans do. Others? More than 200 years old!
Here, we will examine the longevity of various whale species, exploring how they manage to live so long, and which species is the longest living.
The true ocean elders
The one that lives the most is the bowhead whale; these chilly Arctic giants are basically the Gandalf of the sea. Some are estimated to live over 200 years, with one confirmed to be 211 years old. Yep, that’s older than most countries.
How do we know? Scientists check the amino acids in their eye lenses and have even found ancient harpoons in their blubber.
According to the Handbook of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises, bowheads hit sexual maturity at 18 to 31 years (they take their time) and live a full century at least. Some might just be pushing three centuries if left alone (2019, Mark Carwardine).
And what’s their secret? Genes that basically repair their DNA better than ours, stop cancer before it starts, and keep their cells from going bonkers with age (Keane et al., 2015).
Check all our articles exploring the unique wildlife of the Azores: Dolphin Conservation Status | Pink Dolphins | Tuna in the Diet of Dolphins | Dolphin Olfactory Abilities | Whale and Dolphin Reproduction | Are Whales Carnivores? | Does Whale Sperm Make the Ocean Salty? | Communication Among Whales and Dolphins | How Do Whales & Dolphins Sleep? | How Long Do Whales Live?
Sperm whales, slow and steady
Next, meet the sperm whale. Famous for being loud, deep-diving, and just straight-up mysterious, these guys can live more than 70 years, some even longer.
Sperm whales are said to reach sexual maturity at 7 to 10 years, but they take their sweet time getting fully grown. Their slow-paced life helps them age gracefully (2019, Mark Carwardine).
Granny whales?
Now here’s where it gets wild: some whales go through menopause. Species like orcas, belugas, narwhals, and short-finned pilot whales actually live long past their reproductive years. That means, just like humans, these ladies stop having babies, but stick around to help out the family.
In fact, post-reproductive females in orca pods are often the leaders. They remember where the food is during bad years and guide the younger whales like true matriarchs (Brent et al., 2015).
Check all our articles exploring the unique wildlife of the Azores: Swimming Speed of Whales | Breath-Holding Capacity of Blue Whales | Dolphin Mating Behavior | Collective Nouns for Dolphins | Top 3 Facts & Curiosities about Dolphins | Dolphin Diet and Feeding Habits | Fin Whale Conservation Status | Sperm Whale Diet | Sperm Whale’s Scars | What Does a Whale’s Penis Look Like? | What Does Whale Milk Taste Like? | Portuguese Man-o’-War Jellyfish | What Do Whales Eat? | Can You Hear Whales Above Water?
But why do whales live so long?
Whales live so long thanks to a combination of biology, genetics, and lifestyle. Some species, like the bowhead whale, have evolved special genes that help repair DNA and prevent damage to cells as they age, meaning their bodies stay healthier for longer.
They also have a very slow metabolism and live in cold environments, which reduces stress on their organs over time. On top of that, whales tend to live calm, low-risk lives with few predators once they reach adulthood. Scientists have even discovered that whales have natural defenses against cancer, which is rare considering their size and number of cells.
All of these factors together make whales some of the longest-living animals on Earth (Keane et al., 2015; Carwardine, 2019).
So… how long are we talking?
The lifespan of whales also differs significantly by species, although most of them lead notably long lives.
Sperm whales and orcas may live up to 70 to 90 years, with female orcas commonly living many decades longer than males. There are also species such as false killer whales and belugas, which survive into their 60s or 70s.
The honest record-holder is the bowhead whale, which has been found to have a life span of more than 200 years, making it the longest-lived mammal recorded in the history of science. And not quite so old, even humpback whales and blue whales can live to be 80 to 90 years in the natural environment. So, yes, whales not only get big, they also get old.
Conclusion
Whales are not only the largest creatures on the planet, but they are also among the longest living ones. The 200-year lifespan of the bowhead whale, the wise, post-reproductive orca grandma, tells us a story of how nature can be powerful about aging gracefully.
Would you like to know the best times for whale watching?
Take a look at our whale watching calendar and plan your next adventure! Don’t miss the chance to spot these majestic creatures in Azorean waters. 🐋 🌊
FAQs
It depends on the species! Some live 40–70 years, while bowhead whales can reach over 200 years. On average, large whales tend to live longer than smaller ones, thanks to their slow metabolism and strong genetics.
The bowhead whale holds the record for the longest-lived mammal. Some individuals have been estimated to be over 200 years old, thanks to special DNA repair mechanisms and a slow-paced lifestyle in Arctic waters.
Not always. Many whales die young due to threats like ship strikes, fishing nets, or pollution. However, those who reach adulthood, especially in remote regions, have a high chance of living for many decades.
Bowhead whales have unique genetic adaptations that help repair damaged DNA, prevent cancer, and slow down aging. Combined with cold environments and few natural predators, these traits allow them to live for centuries.
Yes, at least five species do, including orcas, belugas, and narwhals. Like humans, older females stop reproducing but continue to live for years, often helping guide and support younger generations in their pods.
Yes, but it’s not easy. Researchers use techniques like examining earwax layers, eye lens proteins, or even old harpoons found in whale flesh. These methods help estimate age, especially in long-lived species like bowheads.
References
- Carwardine, M. (2019). Handbook of whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Bloomsbury Wildlife.
- Keane, M., Semeiks, J., Webb, A. E., Li, Y. I., Quesada, V., Craig, T., … & de Magalhães, J. P. (2015). Insights into the evolution of longevity from the bowhead whale genome. Cell Reports, 10(1), 112–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2014.12.008.
- Brent, L. J. N., Franks, D. W., Foster, E. A., Balcomb, K. C., & Croft, D. P. (2015). Ecological knowledge, leadership, and the evolution of menopause in killer whales. Current Biology, 25(6), 746–750. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2015.01.037.
- Brent, L. J. N., Booth, M., Ellis, S., Franks, D. W., Balcomb, K. C., & Croft, D. P. (2020). Postreproductive female killer whales improve the survival of their grandoffspring. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(14), 7590–7595. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1918546117.
- George, J. C., Bada, J., Zeh, J., Scott, L., Brown, S. E., O’Hara, T., & Suydam, R. (1999). Age estimation in bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) via aspartic acid racemization. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 77(4), 571–580. https://doi.org/10.1139/z99-015.
