Beluga whales are marine mammals. They live in the water, but breathe air through their blow holes. Belugas can be identified by their white color and permanent smile. That's right, they look like they are smiling, because the shape of their mouth is permanently upturned. They grow to 18 ft long and 3,300 lbs. They are larger than most dolphins, but smaller than most other whales. Belugas have a dorsal ridge instead of a fin on their backs. This is thought to help with swimming under the sea ice and it also helps them preserve heat. They each have two almost square-shaped flippers and a beautifully curved tail fin. They also have a large bump on top of their heads.
Belugas live in the cold waters near the Arctic Circle. They have two layers of blubber to keep them warm. Their body shape is also good for conserving heat. The color of their skin helps them blend into their environment. White is the camouflage color of choice in this icy, snowy environment. There are about 100,000 beluga whales in the world. About 25,045 of these whales live in Hudson Bay.
Belugas are very sociable, often traveling in pods (groups of whales) of three to 10 whales, but even pods of hundreds of whales have been recorded. They do not necessarily stay with any particular pod for a long time. Whales have been known to switch quite often from one pod to another. They are commonly found in estuaries, or a coastal body of water that is somewhat enclosed with one or more river or stream flowing into it.
Why are belugas called "canaries of the sea"?
Beluga whales can make all sorts of sounds like squeals, trills, chirps, and other sounds through their blow-holes. They are actually the most talkative whale species. They might use these noises to communicate with each other. Belugas also use ecolocation to find food, swim around obstacles, and find holes in the surface of the sea ice. Ecolocation is actually the primary way that belugas navigate in the dark waters under the sea ice. Polar bears and orca whales are the beluga's only predators (aside from humans).
What do belugas eat?
Belugas swim slowly and mainly feed on fish. They can also eat squid, octopus, clams, crab, and shrimp. Belugas eat up to 80 lbs of food per day! They can squirt water out of their mouths to uncover food on the sandy sea bottom. They will spend about 3 to 5 minutes during each dive for food, but they have been recorded to dive for as long as 20 minutes!
How are beluga whales affected by pollution?
Beluga whales are most often exposed to pollution when they spend time in estuaries near human populations. As rivers flow into these estuaries, they bring all sorts of pollutants with them. For the belugas living in the St. Lawrence River, rates of cancer have been increasing due to pollution.
Links about Beluga Whales:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beluga_whale
http://www.sheddaquarium.org/belugawhales.html
Belugas are very sociable, often traveling in pods (groups of whales) of three to 10 whales, but even pods of hundreds of whales have been recorded. They do not necessarily stay with any particular pod for a long time. Whales have been known to switch quite often from one pod to another. They are commonly found in estuaries, or a coastal body of water that is somewhat enclosed with one or more river or stream flowing into it.
Why are belugas called "canaries of the sea"?
Beluga whales can make all sorts of sounds like squeals, trills, chirps, and other sounds through their blow-holes. They are actually the most talkative whale species. They might use these noises to communicate with each other. Belugas also use ecolocation to find food, swim around obstacles, and find holes in the surface of the sea ice. Ecolocation is actually the primary way that belugas navigate in the dark waters under the sea ice. Polar bears and orca whales are the beluga's only predators (aside from humans).
Two Beluga Whales the Georgia aquarium.
What do belugas eat?
Belugas swim slowly and mainly feed on fish. They can also eat squid, octopus, clams, crab, and shrimp. Belugas eat up to 80 lbs of food per day! They can squirt water out of their mouths to uncover food on the sandy sea bottom. They will spend about 3 to 5 minutes during each dive for food, but they have been recorded to dive for as long as 20 minutes!
How are beluga whales affected by pollution?
Beluga whales are most often exposed to pollution when they spend time in estuaries near human populations. As rivers flow into these estuaries, they bring all sorts of pollutants with them. For the belugas living in the St. Lawrence River, rates of cancer have been increasing due to pollution.
Links about Beluga Whales:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beluga_whale
http://www.sheddaquarium.org/belugawhales.html
Why are the Buluga Whales so puffy?
Are those whales really dolphins?
The beluga whale pics are amazing! They are so cute! I saw one at the Shedd Aquarium too! My cousins decided to name one Burger! So hilarious!
This is such an amazing animal!!!!! I love it. It is very cool!!!!
I think the beluga whale is a mysterious and wonderous creature, it really is cool.
HOW LONG CAN POLAR BEARS SWIM?
good question Nate.I would have to say they are.
i know you were not asking me, but i think it is just blubber to keep himself warm.
I have a question myself do you know why they call
it a Beluga whale?
i want to know why they call it beluga whale like tim asked. And i hope i can see one one day. They look cool!!!!