Beluga Whales
Delphinapterus leucas
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetacea
Family: Monodonti
Genus: Delphinapterus
Species: Delphinapterus leucas
Evolutionary relationships
The Beluga whale is most closely related to the Narwal.
Habitat
Beluga whales live in bays, channels, and shallow waters in the arctic. They are also found in the mouths of rivers during the spring for feeding and mating.
Type of Diet
Beluga whales are carnivores. They eat a variety of things such as smelt, flatfish, flounder, sculpins, salmon, and cod. They also eat invertebrates such as crab, shrimp, clams, octopus, squid, and other bottom dwelling animals.
Social Interactions and How they Move
Belugas live in groups called pods. They are very social animals and they can imitate many sounds. The male Beluga whale willWhen a female beluga whale gets pregnant a nursery pod will stay and and protect her during the delivery. After the baby is born one female will stay behind to help take care of the baby. Females do not keep one mate for life.
Beluga whales use their tales to propel themselves through the water. They can swim about 9 to 10km per hour.
Pictures and Videos
Beethoven the Beluga Whale (Whale Sounds)
Animals of the Ice: Beluga Whales
Other facts
Endangered Status
Beluga whales are threatened. Nothing much is being done. Some are being rescued and put into captivity.
Weight and Size
They can be 13 to 20 feet long and weigh 2,000 to 3,000 pounds.
Fun Facts
Beluga whales are the only whales that are completely white. The bump on their heads is called the melon, and it can change shape. The nickname for the beluga whale is the canaries of the sea.