FlipFact of the Day: The bowhead whale (Balaena mysticus) possesses the largest mouth in the animal kingdom.
The animal kingdom’s biggest mouth can be found on the bowhead whale. This marine mammal’s massive maw measures up to 5 m (16 ft) long, 4 m (12 ft) high and 2.5 m (8 ft) wide, with a tongue that weighs close to a ton (900 kg). It’s so huge, in fact, that it comprises nearly a third of a typical adult male’s 60- to 65-foot length.
Scientists also believe that the bowhead whale may be the longest-lived mammal on Earth, with an estimated lifespan of up to 200 years.
Today’s Science History Milestone: On September 18, 1907, American nuclear physicist Edwin Mattison McMillan was born. He shared the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1951 with Glenn T. Seaborg for his discovery of element 93, neptunium, the first transuranium element.
Still remember your 5th-grade science classes? Test your knowledge and see if you still remember these facts and fundamental concepts in human anatomy, biology, botany, and other branches of science. Click here to try the “Are You Smarter Than A Pinoy Fifth-Grader” Challenge.
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Cover image: Martha Holmes
References
- https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/bowhead.html
Author: Mikael Angelo Francisco
Bitten by the science writing bug, Mikael has years of writing and editorial experience under his belt. As the editor-in-chief of FlipScience, Mikael has sworn to help make science more fun and interesting for geeky readers and casual audiences alike.
