How long do you think whales naturally live?

[NoDecision]

In 2007, native Alaskan whalers found a bowhead whale with a Victorian-era harpoon tip embedded in its neck. According to Forbes, the harpoon was identified as a “b*mb lance” used by whalers in the 1880s, meaning the whale had survived the attack and lived for over 130 years. The harpoon was lodged in a thick layer of blubber, which likely helped the whale survive the explosive impact.
This discovery supports earlier research suggesting bowhead whales can live up to 200 years, making them the longest-living mammals on Earth. According to the California Academy of Sciences, their longevity is linked to unique genetic adaptations for DNA repair, cell cycle regulation, and resistance to age-related diseases.
The harpoon fragment is now on display at the Inupiat Heritage Center in Barrow, Alaska, serving as both a scientific artifact and a symbol of the bowhead whale’s resilience. It’s a rare moment where history, biology, and mystery collide, proving that the ocean still holds secrets older than most human lifetimes

[Tarifa]

As with all animals living out in the open, age will be determined by a lot of factors.

Not all of them will reach adult life and hence the ability to reproduce and have an offspring. Do you want to take these 'baby' or 'child' deaths into account? If so, the average age over the whole whale population will be reduced significantly.

Once they've reached adult life, they can still be a prey to other animals, including humans who hunt them, and only have a limited amount of offspring.

Polution induced by human activities in the sea may be another determining factor in the long run.

You could draw a parallel with our 'primitive' ancestors. Life expectancy of prehistoric men and women was around 33 years, again heavily influenced by high infant and child mortality rates. Once childhood was survived, many individuals could live into their 70s, with a potential maximum lifespan similar to today's. However, reaching that age was uncommon due to factors like disease and the lack of medical care.

[AgentG111]

In recent years they have discovered marine animals that are older then we believed they could live to especially with the changes in technology of the 18th 19th 20th century advancements.

I read an article the other day about a I believe greenland female shark that's over 400 years old.

[NoDecision]

Shark or turtle? Desert tortoises can live hundreds of years.

[AgentG111]

It was a shark. Yeah turtle and tortoise seem to outlive many things also alligators and crocodiles.

[FreyaRed]

Whales have very complex societies and cows feed and rise calves very long time compared to other animals. Similar to elephants which live long as well. Such long mother phase makes fertility rate of such animals low what make long levity necessary.
Much more interesting is the fact that whales have massive bodies with several thousands times more cells than humans. Plenty of cells and long life means much more possible cell mutations due cell replication in shape of cancer. Whales have rarely cancer what is another reason for their long levity. Of course this aroused already interest of scientist who desperately look for effective cancer therapy.

[purplepoppy]

Marine creatures often have long lives and strong immune systems. Most stuff perishes through predation so if once your past snack size your pretty safe from most predators.

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[NoDecision]

I would call the top dog award goes to the Blue whale, and it rolls downhill from there.

[MikeTheBartender]

😲 😲 😲 😲 that is so cool, I have made a few trips out to Dana point California to try to see the blue whale but I've not been successful yet. Hopefully next time.

[Nikki1989]

Anywhere from 50 to 150 years depending on the type of whale is what I have heard.

[RandomGirl42]

Omg, that poor whale. 😥

[NoDecision]

Not really, at least it survived and the harpoon was only embedded in its blubber.

[AngryCarl2]

About 100 years, on average.

[Jerre]

Some whales live for 100-200 years