#beluga whale
How many people can say they have played rugby with a Beluga whale?
![[marine] bio studyblr](https://64.media.tumblr.com/avatar_6b8d8b41243d_30.gif){kind=avatar}
Photo: Vizerskaya
Scientific Name: Delphinapterus leucas
Size – 13 to 20 feet, 2000 to 3000 pounds
Life span – 35 to 50 years
Diet – Fish, crustaceans, and worms
Beluga whales are born to stand out—with their unusual white color, they are easy to spot and recognize. They aren’t always this color though. Baby Belugas are born gray or brown, and then fade to white as they mature sexually.
Compared to most whales, Belugas are small, ranging from 13-20 feet in length. They are also unique because they lack a dorsal fin, something most fish and marine mammals have. There are several other things that make Belugas special. They have a more complex way of communicating with one another, utilizing clicks, whistles and clangs, along with other sounds that they sometimes mimic.
Beluga whales can be found in the coastal waters of the Arctic Ocean, and in subarctic waters as well. Belugas almost always live and travel in small groups call Pods. They migrate south when the ocean begins to freeze over and have to move quickly, otherwise they could be trapped under the ice and suffocate—or become an easy target for predators, like Polar Bears.
You might wonder why Beluga whales live in such a frigid environment. They have a thick layer of blubber (which can be as thick as 5 inches!) to help keep them insulated and warm. They also have a hard dorsal ridge along their back and a tough forehead, which helps them to swim through the icy sea water.
Beluga whales are truly amazing and beautiful creatures. Should you ever be near arctic waters, take some time and see if you can spot these fantastic white whales! They are worth the wait.
Sources:http://us.whales.org/species-guide/beluga-whale
http://www.defenders.org/beluga-whale/basic-facts
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/beluga-whale/
Written by: Kari Shirley, intern
Beluga whales are born to stand out—with their unusual white color, they’re easy to recognize! Scientific Name: Delphinapterus leucas Size - 13 to 20 feet, 2000 to 3000 pounds Life span - 35 to 50 years…
How many people can say they have played rugby with a Beluga whale?
The Russian Navy has deployed Beluga Whales at Olenya Guba
This isn’t the first time that Russia’s militarized marine mammals have been spotted. In 2019, Norwegian fishermen reported that a surprisingly tame beluga whale had been harassing their boats while wearing a harness that read: “Equipment of St. Petersburg,” Live Science previously reported.
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