Belugas are extremely social and vocal, earning them the nickname “canaries of the sea.” They travel in pods of family groups and can form massive aggregations of thousands during migrations. They communicate using whistles, clicks, and chirps, and their melon helps focus sound waves for echolocation. Belugas also display complex social behaviors, including cooperative feeding and even assistance during calving.
The beluga whale, often called the “white whale,” is a small, toothed whale native to Arctic and sub-Arctic waters. Its name comes from the Russian word belukha, meaning “white one.” Belugas are born grey and gradually turn white by about six years of age. They have a distinctive rounded forehead called a melon, which aids in echolocation and communication, and a dorsal ridge instead of a fin, helping them navigate under ice. Belugas are unique among cetaceans for having a flexible neck, allowing them to turn their heads side to side.
Quick Beluga Whale Facts
| Scientific name | Delphinapterus Leucas |
| Length | 3-5m (10-17ft) |
| Weight | 1,100 -1,600 kg (1.2 -1.8 metric tons) |
| Population | 150,000 individuals |
| Species Conservation Status | Least Concern |
Diet and Behaviour
Beluga whales have a highly varied diet that includes fish such as herring, cod, salmon, and capelin, as well as invertebrates like squid, octopus, crabs, snails, and bottom-dwelling worms. They employ unique feeding strategies, such as squirting water to uncover prey and using suction to draw food into their mouths.
Belugas are extremely social and often travel in pods of family groups, sometimes forming massive aggregations of up to 10,000 individuals during migrations or when food is abundant. They are well adapted to icy environments, using their dorsal ridge to break breathing holes in ice, and possess a flexible neck and a shape-changing melon that aids in echolocation and communication. Belugas inhabit fjords, estuaries, shallow Arctic waters, and frequently migrate up rivers during summer months.
Breeding Cycle
Beluga whales have a seasonal breeding cycle that typically occurs between April and September. Females give birth every two to three years following a gestation period of about one year. Calves are born weighing approximately 70 kilograms and are usually grey in color, gradually turning white as they mature. Births often take place in shallow coastal waters, and it is common for other females in the pod to act as “midwives,” assisting during delivery. After birth, calves nurse for about two years, relying on their mothers for protection and care. This extended maternal investment helps ensure survival in the harsh Arctic environment.
Beluga Whales FAQs
Why do beluga whales live?
Beluga whales live in the Arctic & sub-Arctic regions and are commonly found in: fjords, estuaries, and shallow coastal waters, and during summer months, they often migrate into rivers to follow fish like capelin. Many populations spend the entire year associated with sea ice.
what to beluga whales eat?
They eat a wide range of fish species, including: herring, cod, salmon, and capelin, as well as invertebrates such as squid, octopus, crabs, snails, and bottom-dwelling worms.
Are beluga whales endangered?
Beluga whales are not considered globally endangered, but their conservation status varies by population. The species as a whole is listed as Least Concern . However, certain regional populations face severe threats. For example, the Cook Inlet population in Alaska is classified as Critically Endangered, and the St. Lawrence Estuary population in Canada is Endangered.
These declines are largely due to factors such as habitat degradation, pollution and historical overhunting, with climate change and increased noise in Arctic waters adding further pressure.
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