Beluga Whales are mammals from the Order Cetacea (this includes all whales).
Their Suborder is Odontoceti;which means toothed whales. Also in this suborder are Orcas, Sperm whales and pilot whales to name a few.
The Family Monodontidae contains only belugas and Narwhals.
The Beluga whale's Genus and Species Delphinapterus leucas which means white dolphin without fin.
The common name Beluga comes from Russian word belukah meaning "white."Some interesting facts:
* The Beluga often called "sea canary" for its wide range of vocalizations* This whale can swim forwards and backwards
* The Beluga has a very flexible neck unlike other whales
The habitat of the Beluga Whale is in the Arctic and Sub-arctic regions. For this reason, ice and glaciers, the Beluga Whale has a dorsal "ridge" instead of a dorsal fin usually seen on a whale or dolphin. The "ridge" still acts like a keel on a boat would but will not get caught up on the ice.Appearance:
Males are usually all white, 11-15ft in length and ~3,300lbs
Females are light gray to white, 9-13ft long and ~2,500lbs
Calves are dark gray when born, ~5ft and 150lbs at birth and their color lightens with age due to a reduction in melanin.
Below are pictures of Beluga whales from Mystic Aquarium
This is Inuk, the male at Mystic Aquarium
This is Naku, the larger of the two females
This is Kela, the smaller and more timid of the two females
The Beluga whale is not yet an endangered species although the particular whales that inhabit the Gulf of St. Lawrence is being threatened by hazardous waste that is being dumped in the river.
This chart shows the decrease of animals (Beluga whales) over a period of time, soon there will be no more Beluga whales left in the Gulf of St. Lawrence River if nothing is done about it.
::(Chart coming soon)::
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