#balaena

[all-mammal-creechur]

Bowhead Whale Balaena mysticetus

It is the only baleen whale endemic to the Arctic and subarctic waters, and is named after its characteristic massive triangular skull, which it uses to break through Arctic ice. Bowheads have the largest mouth of any animal representing almost one-third of the length of the body. They may be the longest-lived mammals, with the ability to reach an age of more than 200 years.

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[namu-the-orca]

Remember my illustrations for the Marine Animal Response Society from a while back? Earlier this year I was asked to paint some additional illustrations for them, and I happily complied. I had a lot of fun with the original (big!) commission, so painting some more for them was a pleasure. MARS is the leading responder to stranded whales and other marine life in distress in the Maritime Provinces. Check out their site, they do great work! And the wonderful species profiles features my work ♥

The fin whale was featured previously, but because of their strongly asymmetrical illustration MARS wanted to show their left side too. The Pygmy sperm whale illos already existed, but based on work on the Dwarf sperm whale I wanted to retouch it a bit. I’m glad to have finally painted narwhals (even though they’re a pain lol) and the bowhead was super interesting too, because it has been a while since I last painted one and they’re unusually proportioned to say the least. Fun to see the progression. The Mola mola was a fun challenge! Never painted fish much. I had lots of fun with this and I hope you’ll enjoy too!  

[curiouscatalog]

From: Gessner, Conrad, 1516-1565. Conradi Gesneri medici Tigurini Historiae animalium … Tiguri : Apud Christ. Froschoverum, 1551

QL41 .G37 1551

[curiouscatalog]

From: Gessner, Conrad, 1516-1565. Conradi Gesneri medici Tigurini Historiae animalium … Tiguri : Apud Christ. Froschoverum, 1551

QL41 .G37 1551

[namu-the-orca]

“Diversity”

Compared to other groups of animals, there aren’t all that many mammal species. But Cetacea, the order of the whales, with its mere 80-90 species is unusually small, even by mammal standards; primates for example have almost 400 species, and the order of the rodents has about 2200! And yet, despite their small numbers, there is such an incredible diversity between the whales, from the big and mighty bowhead whale to the small and sleek harbour porpoise. Not only do the depicted species illustrate this broad diversity in shapes and sizes, they also occur in a single geographical location for at least part of their ranges.

This is a really old drawing, but I still quite like it!

[namu-the-orca]

Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetes)

This was my third time illustrating the species, and each time I improve on the last thinking I "really got it this time”. For this illustration I've used more and better detailed references than ever before. And still it looks off. Then again, this is the bowhead we're talking about... Possibly the weirdest whale in the seas, with a body that's one third head and the longest lifespan of any mammal, bowheads are something special indeed. 

Their low metabolic rate and life in a frigid environment allows them to take things slow, and in turn live long - very long. They can easily live to be older than 200 years. Just imagine, a single whale, living through both world wars, seeing the whaling industry rise and die down again. It's quite amazing. And their cold home has brought upon them another record as well: they are the fattest creatures in the world. Their 70 cm blubber layer is thicker than that of any other cetacean, and half their body weight may be made up of fat alone.

They can also make two different sounds simultaneously, like toothed whales (who can click and whistle at the same time). So a bowhead may sing his own song composition while also giving off a beluga whale imitation. Which is a species that frequently accompanies them, not just because the belugas are curious about these gentle giants, but also because they make for excellent ice breakers: if a bowhead finds themselves underneath the ice with no breathing hole nearby, they will use their great domed head to simply make one. They are apparently capable of breaking through 60 cm worth of solid ice. Sharp ice is probably what caused the better part of the bright white scars on this old animal, for the bowhead has no natural enemies besides killer whales and humans.

Just one more fun fact: their scientific name means 'moustached whale', which is an apt name, for the bowhead also holds the record for longest baleen of any mysticete. Their baleen frequently grow to be about 3 metres in length, although the record sits at an impressive 4.5 metres. Apparently their mouth is large enough to fit a table in (or a small car).

[odivm-nostrvm]

[paafeltet]

Flk "Balaena"

Flk “Balaena”

Flytende kokeri “Balaena”. Kokeriet ble levert til United Whalers i 1946. Disponenter var Nils Bugge og Harald Krogh-Hansen (Tønsberg).

Bildet kan kjøpes som A3/A2 print.

Klikk på bildet for større versjon.

Fargelegging: Fokal foto / Geir Røsset. Originalfoto: G. Bunschoten/Kees Heemskerk.

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