The longest-living mammal is the bowhead whale, a giant, Arctic-dwelling species that's bigger than a bus, with evidence suggesting they can live over 200 years. That means there are currently bowhead whales swimming around Alaska that were alive when Moby-Dick was written in 1851. The rest of this article is behind a paywall. Please sign in or subscribe to access the full content.

Researchers know about the longevity of bowhead whales thanks to several unusual clues. In 2007, Native Alaskan hunters discovered a stone harpoon tip embedded in the blubbery body of a bowhead. The distinctive harpoon was traced back to a patented weapon design that was popular between 1885 and 1895, putting the whale at around 115 years old.

More precise measurements can be gained from the whales’ eyes.

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