Beluga: Delphinapterus leucas (Pallas, 1776)
Beluga Whale: A gregarious white whale of Arctic coasts primarily inhabiting areas with sea ice
Size
- Males average 4m (12 ft), 1100-1600kg (2400-3500 lbs)
- Females average 3.7m (11 ft), 700-1200kg (1500-2600 lbs)
Color & Characteristics
- Newborns dark gray, subadults light gray, adults white
- No dorsal fin, but dorsal ridge
- Head with prominent melon and short beak
- Flexible neck allows them to turn their heads
Habitat
- Arctic and subarctic, often in or near sea ice or glacial ice
- Coastal waters and estuaries, shelf break, and deep basins
- Circumpolar but discontinuous distributionShelf & coastal, North Pacific to Chukchi & Beaufort Seas
Feeding
- Wide range of prey including primarily fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans
- Echolocate prey with sonar
Life cycle
- Size at birth 1.5m (5 feet)
- Sexual maturity at 5-8 years
- Females have calves every 2-3 years
- Longevity over 35 years, possibly more then 50 years
Behavior
- Vocal and gregarious
Page Author: Lloyd Lowry & Bodil Bluhm
Created: Aug 24, 2008
