18 Fascinating Beluga Whale Facts You Probably Don’t Know

Beluga whales are fascinating creatures that inhabit the cold waters of the Arctic and subarctic regions. These white whales are known for their unique appearance and friendly nature.

Beluga whales possess many interesting traits and behaviors that set them apart from other marine mammals, such as their distinctive melon-shaped heads and vocal abilities.

But that’s not all—in this article, we will explore 18 fascinating facts about belugas, helping us understand why they are truly remarkable animals.

1. Belugas are nicknamed ‘sea canaries’ due to their vocalizations

Beluga whales have earned the nickname “sea canaries” because of their unique vocal abilities. These marine mammals are known for their wide range of sounds, including clicks, whistles, and chirps.

Belugas are among the most vocal of all whale species. Their sounds serve many purposes, such as communicating with other whales, finding food, and navigating through icy waters.

The nickname “sea canaries” comes from the high-pitched sounds belugas make. These sounds can be heard above water and are often described as bird-like or musical.

Belugas use their complex vocal system for social interactions. They communicate with other belugas in their pod, which helps maintain group bonds and coordination.

Listen to a Beluga’s vocalizations in the video below:

2. Beluga whales are found in Arctic and sub-Arctic waters

Beluga whales live in cold northern waters. They swim in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. These white whales prefer icy seas around North America, Europe, and Asia.

Belugas inhabit coastal areas and shallow bays. In summer, they often gather near river mouths. Some even swim upstream into rivers.

The whales move with the seasons. When ice forms in fall, they head south. In spring, belugas return north as the ice breaks up. This helps them find food year-round.

Cook Inlet in Alaska has a group of belugas that stays there all year. Another group lives in Canada’s St. Lawrence River. These resident populations don’t migrate like most belugas do.

3. They can swim backward

Beluga whales have a unique ability among whale species. They can swim backward with ease. This skill comes from their flexible bodies and special neck structure.

Unlike many other whales, belugas have neck vertebrae that are not fused. This gives them a greater range of motion. They can move their heads in different directions, which helps with backward swimming.

Backward swimming lets belugas explore tight spaces and escape danger quickly. It’s also useful for catching prey that might try to slip away. This skill shows how well-adapted belugas are to their Arctic home.

Their backward swimming ability is similar to that of dolphins. It helps belugas navigate ice-filled waters where they often live. This skill is just one of many that make belugas special in the whale world.

4. Belugas can mimic a variety of sounds

Beluga whales have an amazing ability to mimic sounds. They can copy many different noises they hear in their environment.

These whales can imitate other whale species, likely as a way to communicate with different pods. Young belugas learn by copying the sounds of adults in their group.

Surprisingly, belugas can even mimic human speech patterns. Their vocalizations can sound similar to human voices, though at a lower pitch than typical whale calls.

One captive beluga was reported to have copied an underwater command used by divers. This shows how closely these whales can match the sounds they hear.

5. Beluga whales have flexible necks allowing head movement

Beluga whales stand out from other whales due to their unusually flexible necks. This flexibility comes from their neck vertebrae not being fused together like in most whales and dolphins.

The unique neck structure of belugas allows them to move their heads independently from their bodies. This gives them a wider range of motion compared to other cetaceans.

Belugas can turn their heads in different directions, which helps them navigate tight spaces and search for food more effectively. This ability is especially useful in their icy Arctic habitats.

The flexible neck also aids belugas in communication and social interactions. They can make various facial expressions and body movements, enhancing their non-vocal communication with other whales.

6. They lack a dorsal fin

Beluga whales stand out from other whales because they don’t have a dorsal fin. Instead, they have a dorsal ridge along their back.

This unique feature helps belugas swim under ice sheets in Arctic waters. The missing fin allows them to move more easily in tight spaces.

Scientists think the lack of a dorsal fin might also help belugas keep warm in cold waters. With less surface area exposed, they can retain body heat better.

The absence of a dorsal fin gives belugas their smooth, white appearance. This look helps them blend in with ice and snow in their Arctic home.

7. Their scientific name is Delphinapterus leucas

Beluga whales have the scientific name Delphinapterus leucas. This Latin name has special meaning.

“Delphinapterus” comes from two Greek words. “Delphinos” means dolphin, and “apteros” means without fins. This refers to the beluga’s lack of a dorsal fin, as mentioned above.

“Leucas” is Greek for “white.” It describes the beluga’s unique white color. Adult belugas are the only fully white whales.

Scientists use this name to classify belugas. It shows the whale’s family and species. The name helps researchers study and talk about belugas clearly.

8. Belugas use echolocation to navigate and hunt

Beluga whales use a special skill called echolocation to find their way around and catch food. This ability helps them “see” in dark or murky waters where their eyes aren’t very useful.

Belugas make high-pitched clicks that bounce off objects underwater. The echoes that come back tell them what’s nearby. This lets them find fish to eat and avoid bumping into things.

Their echolocation clicks can be very loud, reaching over 120 kHz. That’s much higher than humans can hear. These sounds help belugas create a sound picture of their surroundings.

Beluga whales use echolocation to hunt for prey, dodge obstacles, and locate each other in the water. This amazing skill is key to their survival in the cold Arctic waters where they live.

9. They are born dark gray and lighten with age

Beluga whales undergo a fascinating color transformation as they grow. Newborn calves are dark gray in color, with some having bluish or brownish tints.

This dark coloration helps young belugas blend in with their surroundings, providing some protection from predators. As they mature, their skin gradually lightens.

The process of turning white can take 5 to 12 years. Adult belugas are known for their striking pure white color, which is unique among whale species.

Sometimes, adult belugas may have a yellowish tinge. This is caused by a layer of algae growing on their skin. The yellow hue typically disappears during summer months.

10. Belugas can live up to 90 years in the wild and 60 years in captivity

Beluga whales have an impressive lifespan. These white whales can live for several decades in the wild.

Recent studies suggest belugas live up to 90 years. This is longer than previously thought.

In captivity, belugas typically live between 40 to 60 years. Their lifespan depends on factors like diet, environment, and healthcare.

Researchers determine a beluga’s age by examining its teeth. They count growth layers in the teeth, similar to tree rings.

Older belugas play important roles in their pods. They pass down knowledge about migration routes and feeding grounds to younger whales.

11. They have a thick layer of blubber for insulation

Beluga whales possess a thick layer of blubber that covers their entire body, except for their fins, flippers, and flukes. This blubber is a crucial adaptation for life in cold Arctic waters.

The blubber acts as insulation, helping belugas maintain their body temperature in frigid environments. It can be up to 11 inches thick in some whale species.

For belugas, this layer of fat is particularly substantial. It accounts for 40-50% of their body weight, which is unusually high compared to other toothed whales.

Beyond insulation, blubber serves additional purposes. It stores energy, which belugas can use when food is scarce. The blubber also increases their buoyancy, helping them move more easily in the water.

12. Beluga whales are highly social creatures

Beluga whales live in groups called pods. These pods can range from a few individuals to several hundred whales. They enjoy spending time together and often engage in playful activities.

Belugas are very vocal and use a variety of sounds to communicate. They make clicks, whistles, and other noises, earning them the nickname “canary of the sea.”

These whales form strong bonds within their pods. They work together to hunt for food and migrate to different areas. Belugas also help each other care for young calves.

During breeding season, belugas gather in special areas. They return to these same spots year after year to mate and give birth. This shows how important social connections are to their lives.

13. They form groups called pods

Beluga whales are social animals that live in groups called pods. These pods can vary greatly in size.

Some pods may have just a few whales, while others can include hundreds of members. The average pod size is about 10 whales.

Belugas sometimes form larger temporary pods for activities like mating. These big gatherings can have thousands of whales.

Pods help belugas communicate, find food, and stay safe. They use squeaks, clicks, and whistles to talk to each other underwater.

Living in groups also helps young belugas learn important skills from older whales. This social structure is key to their survival in the cold Arctic waters.

14. They molt their skin yearly

Beluga whales have a unique trait among cetaceans. They shed their skin once a year, a process known as molting. This happens during the summer months.

Unlike other whales that shed skin continuously, belugas do it all at once. They rub against rocks and gravel on the sea floor to help remove the old skin.

During molting, belugas may gather in large groups. Hundreds of them can be seen rubbing against each other and the sea bottom in shallow areas.

This yearly molt helps belugas maintain their distinctive white color. It also keeps their skin healthy and free from parasites.

The molting process can take about two weeks to complete. After shedding, the new skin appears smoother and whiter than before.

15. Belugas are known for their playful nature

Beluga whales have a reputation for being playful and social animals. They often engage in behaviors that seem to have no purpose other than fun.

Belugas are sometimes called “sea canaries” due to their wide range of vocalizations. They use these sounds to communicate and play with each other.

These whales enjoy blowing bubbles and chasing them. They also like to spit water at objects or even people near their tanks in aquariums.

Belugas are known to play with toys in captivity. They show curiosity towards new objects and often interact with them in creative ways.

In the wild, belugas have been seen playing with seaweed, pushing logs, and chasing each other. These activities help strengthen social bonds within their pods.

16. They can hold their breath for up to 25 minutes

Beluga whales are remarkable divers. They can stay underwater for long periods without coming up for air.

These whales can hold their breath for over 17 minutes. Some reports suggest they may even reach up to 25 minutes.

This ability helps belugas hunt for food in deep waters. They can dive to depths of 500 meters or more.

Belugas have special adaptations for long dives. Their bodies store extra oxygen in their blood and muscles.

During dives, belugas slow their heart rate. This helps them use oxygen more efficiently underwater.

Their diving skills are crucial for survival in Arctic waters. It allows them to find food and avoid predators effectively.

17. Beluga whales have a diverse diet of fish and invertebrates

Beluga whales are opportunistic feeders with a varied diet. They primarily consume fish and invertebrates found in their Arctic and sub-Arctic habitats.

Their menu includes salmon, herring, and cod. Belugas also enjoy squid, crabs, and various types of shellfish.

These whales adapt their eating habits based on food availability. Their diet can change depending on the season and location.

Belugas have teeth, but they don’t use them for chewing. Instead, they grab prey and swallow it whole.

In zoological settings, belugas eat about 2.5% to 3% of their body weight daily. This amounts to roughly 40-60 pounds of food per day.

Belugas often forage near the ocean floor. Their flexible necks allow them to search for food in various directions while swimming.

18. Females give birth every three years on average

Beluga whale females have a unique reproductive cycle. They typically give birth to one calf every three years.

The gestation period for beluga whales lasts between 12 to 15 months. This long pregnancy ensures the calf is well-developed at birth.

After giving birth, female belugas nurse their calves for up to two years. This extended nursing period helps the young whales grow strong and healthy.

The three-year birth cycle allows female belugas to dedicate enough time and energy to each calf. It ensures the mother can fully recover between pregnancies.

This reproductive pattern helps maintain stable beluga populations in the wild. It balances the species’ survival needs with the physical demands of pregnancy and nursing.