Beluga Whale Facts

Beluga whales are classified into the kingdom Animelia and phylum Chordata. They belong to the family Monodontidae and their scientific name is Delphinapterus leucas. The beluga whales are also commonly known as the 'white whale' or the 'sea canary'. The beluga whale is a small whale and is white in color. The younger belugas are slightly gray. The body is stout with a blunt head, a small beak and a prominent melon on it. The beluga whale doesn't have a dorsal fin like the other fish but they have a narrow dorsal ridge. Read on to know some other great beluga whale facts.

Facts About Beluga Whales
There are some interesting beluga whale facts which are quite unknown to many people as they think belugas have the same traits and characteristics like the other whales. Take a look at the beluga whale facts given below so you are updated what exactly is the beluga whale.

Specifications
Usually the male belugas are larger than the females and grow up to 11 to 15 ft in length and weigh 1500 kg. The females are 9 to 13 ft long, 1360 kg and the newborn beluga calves are about 5 ft in length and 54 to 80 kg in weight. The adult beluga is white in color and they molt seasonally. Their life span is about 25 to 30 years and they get sexually mature from the 4th year for females and the 8th for males. The gestation of a pregnant beluga female is 14 to 15 months and they nurse their newborns for 20 to 24 months after birth.

Habits and Habitats
Beluga whales are mostly found in the Arctic Ocean and the subarctic seas. The inhibit shallow coastal waters of the ocean but congregate to warmer freshwater estuaries and river basins during the summer. They are social and friendly by nature and hence congregate in groups of 2 to 25 whales. As many as 200-10,000 belugas can migrate together to form large sized pods (groups). They dive for almost 15 minutes while hunting for food and dive to a depth of 66 ft to hunt. The beluga whales spout to breathe from their blow hole situated at the top oh their heads.

Vocalization
Belugas love to chatter and sing. They can even be heard above the water when they make these communication sounds. They use a process called echolocation, wherein the whale makes a sound such as a click in the water and this sound travels to the bottom of the sea. It is reflected by any object present to the bottom and is sensed by the whale as its prey. This is used by the belugas for hunting their prey. They make sounds like clicks, squeals, whistles, etc. to navigate and communicate in the deep dark waters of the ocean. This is one of the most breathtaking beluga whale facts.

Diet
The beluga whales are teethed mammals and have 34 teeth. They are meant for grabbing and tearing the prey but not chewing it. Belugas swallow their entire prey as it is and digest it in the stomach. Some of their favorites are squids, fish, crustaceans, worms and octopi. They are oceanic and benthic feeders and hut for groups of fish together. An adult beluga can eat 3% of its body weight per day.

Fun Facts
There are some fun beluga whale facts for kids too as they are the cutest animals to look at.

• The beluga whales are called the 'sea canary' as they sing songs in the sea while they communicate.
• They are slow swimmers but can swim 5 to 6 miles per hour and have the ability to swim backwards.
• The name 'beluga' comes from the Russian word 'belukha', which means white as the belugas are white in color.
• The beluga whales are the only whales who have a flexible neck.

So, weren't those some fantastic beluga whale facts for you? Well, the next time you go to see a beluga, make sure you take their favorite treats as they make great friends too.