Robyn Angliss, NMML
Robyn Angliss, NMML
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Mammal Laboratory
How do I identify them?
| Beluga whales are also known as "white whales", as they were named for the Russian word for white. Adults are white in color, while newborns are dark blue-grey. They are a medium sized cetacean, with males weighing 1,000-2,000 pounds and 11-15 feet (3.4-4.6m) in length. The females are smaller at 12 feet (3.7m) long. Belugas appear more robust than other porpoises and dolphins due to a thick layer of blubber to survive the cold arctic water. This blubber can be as thick as 5 inches (12cm)!
The dorsal fin is only a low ridge on its back. This is an adaptation to the cold arctic environment. A fin quickly loses heat to its surroundings, and would be a hinderence in the loose ice pack. Their ridge on their back, as well as their head, can be used to break the ice for breathing. The beluga can bend its neck because their cervical vertebrae is not fused. This makes it possbile to be more maneuverable in ice covered and muddy areas. This ability helps make the beluga very mobile as compared to other whales.
Beluga whales have a large forehead that is called a melon, which is flexible enough to allow them facial expressions! Sounds are produced by the movement of the melon.
The beluga whale has simple peg-like teeth, that number 40 by adulthood. Though wear an breakage occur throughout its life.
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Where do they live, and do they migrate?
Beluga whales are found in arctic and sub arctic waters of North America, Greenland, Europe and Asia. The winter and spring grounds are in ice-covered areas, while in summer and fall they are found in coastal waters. There are two populations in Alaska, with one in Cook Inlet and ther other in the Bering Sea.
The Cook Inlet group ranges the inlet and Shelikof Strait region, though some have been seen in Yakutat Bay and Kodiak Island. They do not migrate with changing seasons, while the Bering group will migrate with the changing sea ice. The Bering group is found in the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort seas. In winter they are found with the drifting ice in the Bering, while in summer they range from Bristol Bay ro the Mackensie River Delta in Canada.
Belugas can cover long distances, with some migrating over 1,500 miles (2,700km). Some will even swim over 100 miles (180km) a day.
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Beluga whales will even swim up rivers like the Yukon. Sightings of belugas in the river have occured in Tanana, Rampart and Fort Yukon!
What and how does a Beluga Whales eat?
While little is known about what a beluga eats in winter, summer prey includes a variety of schooling and anadromous fish that are abundant in coastal areas. Specific species include: herring, capelin, smelt, arctic cod, saffron cod, salmon, flatfishes and sculpins. They are also known to occasionally eat: crabs, clams, octopus, squid and shrimp. Their primary feedin zones are on the continental shelf, estuaries and river mouths. In Alaskan shallow water, dives are usually on 20-100 feet (6-30m) deep, while in Canada depths of 2,000 feet (600m) were measured using satellite tags.
Belugas will feed in pelagic and benthic environments, as well as shallow and deepwater habitats.
What are Beluga Whales mating and breeding habits? And how do they raise their young?
Usually when the groups of belugas are near or in their summer locales, calves will be born. This occurs normally betweetn May and June. Calves are born tail first, and then the mother will guide the newborn to the surface for its first breath of air. Calves are born a dark grey color that turns whate as they mature. At birth, they weigh 90-130 pounds and 5 feet (1.5m) in length. The calf is nursed for 2 years before being weaned. Teeth first start appearing in the lower jaw, and with time in the upper jaw. Females reach adulthood at 4-5 years, while the male is a bit later at 8-9 years.
In March or April breeding occurs with a gestation time of 14.5 months. Females will give birth every 3 years to one calf.
Females have been observed carrying strange objects like planks and buoys around during calving season. It is thought that it is a replacement for the death of a newborn.
How long do Beluga Whales live? Do they have any predators?
Beluga whales can live to be 35-50 years old.
Polar bears and orcas (killer whales) are predetors to the beluga.
How do they communicate?
Beluga whales have been called "Sea Canaries" because of the wide variety of birdlike vocalizations they make. They are very social animals and use the grunts, clicks, chirps and whistles for not only communication but for navigating and finding prey. Belugas use echolocation to help them find and herd their prey.
Hear a beluga whale (Sea World)
How do they behave?
Pods of belugas can number between 2 to 1,000 individuals. It is common for adult males to swim together in pods of 8 or 10, while females have pods consisting of calves and juveniles. Belugas will swim next to each other and simultaneously rolling to breath. In shallow water, or when they are feeding, they may engage in snorkeling, where only their blowholes break the surface. It makes them difficult to spot when only about 4-7% of their time is spent at the surface.
Every year in summer, usually in July, belugas will molt. They will use coarse gravel in shallow water to rub off the old yellow skin. During this molting period, skin grows about 100 times faster than normal!
Some belugas will strand themselves on mud flats without danger, as they are able to wait for the next high tide to escape.
Unlike other whales, belugas can swim backwards! Though they do not breach or do many other aerial acrobatics like other whales and dolphins.
Belugas have acute senses of hearing and vision, with some taste receptors, and no smell receptors in the brain.
How do Beluga Whales compare to other whales?
Click here to view comparison sketch
What is their scientific classification or taxonomy?
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetacea
Family: Monodontidae
Genus: Delphinapterus
Species: leucas | 
Size comparison to human |
Are Beluga Whales an endagered species?
VulnerableGraphic credit: Peter Halasz
| The global population is estimated at 62,000-80,000 individuals. The population in Cook Inlet is estimated to be between 400-500 individuals. The Bering sea group is harder to count. Estimates range from 13,500 to 25,000. |
Other Links:
ADF&G Wildlife Notebook Series
Alaska Sea Grant
Wikipedia
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