The bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) is a remarkable marine mammal uniquely adapted to life in the Arctic. Known for its arch-shaped jaw, from which it gets its name, the bowhead whale is among the largest whale species, reaching lengths of 14 to 18 metres (45 to 60 feet) and weighing up to 100 tons. Its thick, black body is often marked with white patches on the chin and tail, and it possesses exceptionally long baleen plates, which can grow up to 4.6 meters (15 feet). These plates are used to filter small prey like zooplankton and crustaceans from the water. The whale's blubber, up to 45 centimetres (18 inches) thick, provides insulation in icy Arctic waters, making it well-suited to its frigid habitat.

Bowhead whales are found exclusively in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, including the Arctic Ocean and adjacent seas like the Bering, Beaufort, and Chukchi Seas. Their populations are divided into regional groups such as the Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort, Hudson Bay, and Svalbard-Barents Sea populations. They migrate seasonally between feeding and breeding grounds, often navigating through thick sea ice, which they can break using their strong skulls.

These whales are known for their exceptional longevity, with 100 to 200 year lifespans, making them among the longest-lived mammals. Females typically give birth every three to four years after a gestation period of 13 to 14 months. Newborn calves are about 4 to 5 meters (13 to 16 feet) long at birth. Bowheads are relatively solitary creatures, often seen alone or in small groups of up to six individuals. While they rarely breach, their vocalisations are notable for their complexity and are used for communication and possibly for navigation under the ice.