Beluga whale

Delphinapterus leucas · The beluga whale is a white Arctic and sub-Arctic whale that lives in the Arctic Ocean and the seas and coasts around North America, Russia, and Greenland.

Also called Beluga, White whale, Melonhead, Sea canary.

Beluga whale
Photo: Ansgar Walk, CC BY-SA 2.5
Beluga whale
Photo: Versions111, CC BY 4.0
Beluga whale
Photo: Ansgar Walk, CC BY 2.5

Taxonomy

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassMammalia
OrderArtiodactyla
FamilyMonodontidae
GenusDelphinapterus
SpeciesDelphinapterus leucas

Where it lives

Arctic and sub-Arctic coastal waters and river mouths.

Fun facts

  • Belugas are nicknamed "sea canaries" because of their high-pitched squeaks, squeals, clucks, and whistles.
  • Unlike most whales, belugas can swim backwards.
  • Belugas are born grey and slowly turn white, reaching their white colour at about seven years old in females and nine in males.
  • A beluga's neck bones are not fused, so it can turn its head sideways without rotating its body.

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Facts and taxonomy adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).