Species · GBIF taxon 5220003
Beluga
Delphinapterus leucasAlso known as White Whale, Sea Canary, Melonhead
Belugas are highly social Arctic cetaceans easily recognized by their striking white coloration and bulbous, flexible foreheads. Lacking a dorsal fin, they navigate easily through dense pack ice while communicating with an incredibly diverse repertoire of whistles, squeaks, and chirps. During the summer, they gather in shallow estuaries to molt, rubbing their thick skin against the gravelly riverbeds.
VocalArcticMarine Mammal
Licensed reference(c) Hafiz Issadeen, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
- diet
- Benthic fish, crustaceans, squid, and octopuses
- family
- Monodontidae
- threats
- Climate change, industrial noise, pollution, and ship strikes
- life Span
- 35 to 50 years
NT
Observe from a safe distance to avoid disrupting their natural swimming and vocalizing behaviors.
Highly vulnerable to marine noise pollution, climate change, and habitat degradation.
Maintain a respectful distance of at least 100 yards and minimize engine noise when observing from boats.- Listen closely: Use a hydrophone if available to hear their diverse chirps, whistles, and squeaks.
- Keep distance: Maintain at least 100 yards when viewing from a boat to prevent stress.
- Watch the shallows: Look for them in shallow estuaries during summer molting seasons.