The Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) is a very large Arctic cetacean. It is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon.
Description[]
The bowhead whale is a species of baleen whale and is closely related to the similar-looking right whales. Its name comes from its large, triangular head, which it uses to break through ice. Its mouth is the largest in the animal kingdom, making up nearly a third of its body length, and contains 3-4m (9.8-13.1ft) long baleen plates - longer than any other whale - which it uses to filter zooplankton from the water. Females are larger than males.
The bowhead whale is endemic to the frozen waters of the Arctic Ocean. It features many adaptations to living in the icy seas, including 50cm (20in) thick blubber and no dorsal fin, which would catch on the sea ice. Unlike many whales, bowhead whales typically lead solitary lives. Like many large whales, the bowhead whale was a target for whalers, but is now a protected species.
Zoo Tycoon[]
The bowhead whale is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon. It is a downloadable animal that was included as part of the Endangered Species Theme Pack and is classed as a Marine Mania animal.
The bowhead whale is an Aquatic animal and requires a large, deep tank at 7 units deep. Their favourite foliage is the Clam Bed and they also require some rocks in their exhibit, some needing to be Small Rock clusters in order to maximize their habitat suitability. When their happiness is high, the bowhead whale may occasionally breach out of the water or blow bubbles. Unlike many fully aquatic animals, the Bowhead whale is able to completely fill their hunger meter after feeding.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Though the bowhead whale may live for a minimum of 3 years in-game, in real life the bowhead whale has the longest lifespan of any mammal, able to live approximately 268 years. The oldest individual recorded estimated to have been 211 years old.
- Additionally, while the bowhead whale reaches maturity at just under 4 months in-game, in real life bowhead whales don't reach maturity until about 25 years of age.
- The bowhead whale is the largest animal - in terms of weight - to be adoptable in the Zoo Tycoon series, averaging at 60-80 metric tons.