Beluga

Known as the “canaries of the sea,” due to their wide range of sounds

Jenny Spadafora

The whitish color and prominent forehead make this species easily distinguishable from other whales. A bunch of beluga likes to hang out together, showing their social and friendly side. They love to sing, hence the “canary of the sea.” Interestingly they could adapt well to ice-cold or warm oceans.

Newborn calves take some time to develop insulating fat; therefore, these whales move toward warmer waters at birth. They have a well-developed sense of hearing and sight. Navigation in dark or muddy waters restricts the use of acute eyes, but they have a backup option in echolocation. They have teeth, but like other whales, they prefer to eat via swallowing. The sharp teeth, however, might be utilized to shatter bigger prey into tiny pieces.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Pacific ocean
2017
Arctic Ocean
2017
Atlantic Ocean
2017
Beaufort Sea
39,300
LC
2017
Eastern Beaufort Sea
Chukchi Sea
20,700
LC
2017
Eastern Chukchi Sea
Okhotsk Sea
9,560
LC
2017
Population trend unknown
Bering Sea
7,000–9,200
LC
2017
Eastern Bering Sea
Belgium
2017
Vagrant
Canada
2017
Denmark
2017
Vagrant
Faroe Islands
2017
Vagrant
France
2017
Vagrant
Germany
2017
Vagrant
Greenland
2017
Iceland
2017
Vagrant
Ireland
2017
Vagrant
Japan
2017
Vagrant
Netherlands
2017
Vagrant
Norway
2017
Vagrant
Russia
2017
Svalbard
2017
Sweden
2017
Vagrant
United Kingdom
2017
Vagrant
United States
2017
Alaska
United States
2017
Vagrant: Washington

Did you know?

  • May migrate thousands of kilometers (miles) a year, but normally within the Arctic waters.

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Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd / Group

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No