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Beluga/white whale
Delphinapterus leucas
Subspecies
None
Life span
A few belugas live to be 30 years old.
Statistics
Body length is 3-5m. They weigh 0.4-1.5 tonnes. Males are larger than the females.
Physical Description
Belugas are also called white whales due to their pale colouration. When they are born they are dark grey-brown but they become lighter as they reach adulthood. They have a large melon and short beak.
They have no dorsal fin but a ridge on their backs that may be used to break thin sea ice.
Distribution
Belugas are mostly found in the Arctic Ocean and some adjoining seas.
Habitat
Belugas exploit food resources that are out of reach for other predators.
They can switch between fresh and salt water.
Diet
They eat a wide variety of prey such as fish, octopus, squid, crab and snails.
In captivity they eat up to 5 per cent of their body weight each day. They probably eat more in the wild.
Behaviour
Typically, a single large male will lead a group of 5-20 individuals, although during migration and periods of high food abundance, groups of 10,000 belugas have been reported.
Belugas may dive to the sea floor to fish or to sift sand for invertebrates.
Reproduction
Belugas mate in spring or summer. Gestation is probably between 12 and 14 months. One calf is produced.
The offspring suckles for more than a year.
Conservation status
Belugas are locally common and have an estimated population of 50-70,000.
Notes
Belugas are very vocal.
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