Balaena Mysticetus Collection

Balaena mysticetus, bowhead whale

Bowhead whale, Balaena mysticetus, sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus, short-beaked dolphin, Delphinus delphis
FLO4684738 Bowhead whale, Balaena mysticetus, sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus, short-beaked dolphin, Delphinus delphis, extinct Steller's sea cow, Hydrodamalis gigas, West Indian manatee

Whalers harpooning a bowhead whale a, Balaena mysticetus, and cachelot or pot whale b, Physeter macrocephalus
FLO5000123 Whalers harpooning a bowhead whale a, Balaena mysticetus, and cachelot or pot whale b, Physeter macrocephalus; (add.info)

Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) rubbing off flaking skin on the ocean bottom, east coast Baffin island, Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut, Canada, May

Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), group socialising in shallow water, aerial view. Part of larger group of more than 50 whales congregating, Sea of Okhotsk sub-population, Russia

Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) swimming in coastal waters, aerial view. Vrangel Bay, Primorsky Krai, Russia. August 2019

Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) sow with two cubs walking past a pile of Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) bones, Kaktovik, Barter Island, 1002 Area, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, North Slope

Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) rubbing off flaking skin on the ocean bottom, east coast Baffin island, Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut, Canada, May

Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) tail slapping, Sea of Okhotsk, Russia

Aerial view of Wrangel Bay, Russia, one of the locations where bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation visit during the summer

English whalers hunting whales in the Northern Seas near Greenland, 18th century
6337402 English whalers hunting whales in the Northern Seas near Greenland, 18th century by English School, (19th century); (add.info)

The Greenland or Right Whale (Balaena Mysticetus) (engraving)
2816982 The Greenland or Right Whale (Balaena Mysticetus) (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Greenland or Right Whale (Balaena Mysticetus)

Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) juvenile basking, Baffin Island, Canada

Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) tail, Baffin Island, Canada

Arctic fauna, lithograph, published in 1897
Arctic fauna: 1) Polar bear (Ursus maritimus); 2) Wolverine (Gulo gulo); 3) Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus); 4) Mountain hare (Lepus timidus); 5) True lemming (Lemmus); 6) Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus); 7

Adult bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) surfacing in Arctic Harbour, Isabella Bay, Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada, North America

Bowhead whale skull (Balaena mysticetus) at the abandoned Kekerten Island whaling station, Nunavut, Canada, North America

Cetaceans, 19th century C015 / 6097
Cetaceans. 19th-century artwork of (from top) four cetaceans: a dolphin (Delphinus delphis), a narwhal (Monodon monoceros), a sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Inside the Natural History Museums Mammal and Whale Gallery
Partial views of the skeleton of a bowhead whale (top) and a sperm whale (bottom), on display in the Mammal and Whale Gallery (number 24), at the Natural History Museum, London

Engraving of the Baloena musculus, greenland whale. The whale was found floating 12 miles from Ostens on the 3rd November 1827

The jawbones of Greenland right whale, c. 1912
These jaw bones, each measuring approximately 4.10m (13 ft), were part of a specimen from Lochend, Shetland, donated in 1911 by a Mr Haldane

Men in jaws of bowhead whale, 1934
In late 1934 this bowhead whale skeleton was hoisted into position in the new Whale Hall, where it still hangs today

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The majestic Balaena mysticetus, commonly known as the bowhead whale, is a magnificent creature that can be found in the icy waters of the Arctic. These gentle giants are known for their unique behaviors and adaptations. One fascinating behavior of the bowhead whale is its habit of rubbing off flaking skin on the ocean bottom. This peculiar activity helps them shed old skin and maintain a healthy appearance. It's a mesmerizing sight to witness these massive creatures gracefully gliding along the seabed. In another captivating scene, a group of bowhead whales can be seen socializing in shallow water from an aerial view. Their interactions display their strong bonds and cooperative nature. These gatherings provide opportunities for communication, mating rituals, or simply enjoying each other's company. Coastal waters also serve as playgrounds for these incredible animals. A breathtaking aerial view captures a bowhead whale swimming gracefully through Vrangel Bay. The bay acts as a sanctuary where they seek refuge from predators like orcas, allowing them to relax and enjoy their surroundings undisturbed. Tail slapping is yet another remarkable behavior exhibited by these whales. In Russia's Sea of Okhotsk, one can observe this impressive display as they rhythmically slap their tails against the water surface. It remains unclear whether this behavior serves any specific purpose or if it's merely an expression of joy or frustration. Historically, humans have had complex relationships with these magnificent creatures. English whalers once hunted them in Northern Seas near Greenland during the 18th century when populations were abundant but now endangered due to overhunting practices. The importance of preserving these incredible beings becomes evident when considering how they contribute to Arctic ecosystems' biodiversity alongside other species such as polar bears - Ursus maritimus - who rely on them for sustenance. A lithograph published in 1897 showcases various Arctic fauna including our beloved bowhead whale among others like seals and walruses.