Get to Know the Oldest Whale Species in the World

Whales are the largest living mammals on the earth! The first whale species is said to have appeared 50 million years ago, even before humans. There are around 40 different species of whales, and the term ‘Whales’ is used to refer to both porpoises and dolphins. From the equator to polar ice, whales are distributed across the world’s oceans and seas except for the landlocked Caspian and Aral seas. Here we’ve gathered the oldest whale species in the world. 

Oldest Whale Species

• Bowhead Whale

Bowhead whales are the oldest living whale species in the world. They are also the world’s longest-living animals, with an average lifespan of 200 years. Despite having thousands of cells, resistance to cancer and aging make it the oldest whale species in the world. 

• Fin Whale

The fin whale is also called the finback whale or herring whale. The fin whale is scientifically called Balaenoptera physalus and is the second largest whale in the world. The average lifespan of a spin whale is 94-140 years, and it can grow up to 89.6ft long and weighs about 114 tons. Despite their weight, fin whales are the fastest whale species in the world. 

• Blue Whale

Blue whales are the largest known animals ever known to have lived in the world. It can grow up to 30 meters in length and weighs 173 tons. Blue whales are an endangered species and can live up to 80 years. Nearly 1,000 whale species are killed each year for commercial purposes. There are no more than 25,000 whales in the world. 

• Humpback Whale

Humpback whales are one of the most popular and oldest whale species. Humpback whales are about the size of a school bus. Humpback whales’ lifespan ranges from 45-to 100 years. They are popularly known for singing and haunting. Their songs are audible up to 20 miles away. Theories say these songs are for mating purposes or to challenge other humpback whales.  

• Sperm Whale

Sperm whales are the largest toothed whale species and it has the largest brain of any creature known to live on earth. Their life span is about 60-80 years. Sperm whales eat almost 2000 pounds of food per day. Sperm whales can swim up to 35 to 45kmph.  

• Beluga Whale

Beluga whales are distinguishable whale species. The average lifespan of a beluga whale is 40-80 years, and it is one of the most popular whale species. Beluga whales have stark white coloring and are very social. Its dive lasts up to 25 minutes and can reach a depth of 800 meters.

• Sei Whale

Sei Whale is the third-largest whale species in the world. They live about 70 years in all oceans but rarely in polar or tropical waters. Sei whales are usually found in small groups of two or five. They are not just one of the oldest whale species but also the fastest whale species. Sei whales can reach speeds of over 34 miles per hour.