Southern right whales shatter lifespan records, live to 150
Although southern right whales were always considered animals that reach an impressive age, scientists previously estimated they lived to be 70 to 80 years. The latest research indicates that they can live over 100 years.
Southern right whales can live over 100 years, and 10% of them may live up to 130 years, according to the latest research published in the journal "Science Advances". Scientists estimate that some of these whales may live up to 150 years. That's nearly twice as long as previously thought. As reported by "Science Alert", it was conventionally believed that they lived to a maximum of 70 to 80 years.
Scientists established an estimated upper age limit for right whales by using photographic identification of individual female whales over several decades. Individual whales can be recognized year after year based on photos. Using these, scientists developed so-called "survivorship curves," estimating the likelihood that whales will disappear from the photographic record as they age. Based on these survivability curves, they were able to estimate the maximum potential lifespan.
The upper limit of longevity hovering around 70 years also applied to North Atlantic right whales. Unfortunately, recent studies clearly indicate that individuals of this critically endangered species live an average of 22 years, with only a few reaching a maximum of 50 years. This discrepancy in lifespan for North Atlantic right whales is attributed to human activity. Many individuals die trapped in ropes and fishing nets or in collisions with ships. The growing problem of food scarcity, also caused by humans, is another issue.
Whales live longer than humans
Twenty-five years ago, scientists collaborating with Indigenous whale hunters in the Arctic demonstrated that bowhead whales can live up to 200 years, or even exceed that age. The evidence for this included stone harpoons embedded in whale blubber, used during hunts until the mid-19th century, found in individuals that survived encounters with humans.
Analysis of proteins from the eyes of hunted whales provided further evidence of their longevity. Similar to the case of right whales, prior to this analysis, researchers believed that bowhead whales could live to about 80 years. It was mistakenly thought at the time that humans were the longest-lived mammals. Recent studies show that other whale species can also achieve impressive ages.
