What facts are there about the beluga whale? This article takes you in for a deeper look

The beluga whale is an animal of the genus Delphinapterus in the family Monodontidae. It generally lives close to the sea surface and is also a strong diver. Most are found in the waters of Europe and north of Canada. If you want to understand the beluga whale more specifically, take a look at what facts there are about the beluga whale.

1. The appearance and form of the beluga whale

In outward appearance, the forehead bulges and protrudes somewhat outward, the lip line is fairly broad, and the snout is short. The body is a rather pale, distinctive white. Where the beluga whale differs from other whales is that it can molt when its skin takes on a pale yellow color in summer. The beluga whale's head is relatively small in proportion, with a melon on top, folds of breath behind the blowhole, and folds or scars on the body surface. The dorsal ridge is located at the upper middle-rear position, and the rear edge of the tail fin is dark brown. The neck can nod and turn freely, and the pectoral fins are broad and can move freely.

2. The beluga whale is a social animal

The beluga whale is a social animal. The way beluga pods are composed is still uncertain, and age and sex may play a leading role in the group. Beluga pods become especially excited when entering their migration destination, constantly making sounds and playing in the water with their tail flukes, with half their bodies emerging above the surface.

3. The beluga whale has a migratory habit

Every year in July, beluga whales set out from the Arctic region to begin their summer migration. Large pods may have tens of thousands swimming together toward the destination, performing constantly along the way. The destination of the pod's migration is generally in places at a relatively northern latitude. A small number of beluga whales also act alone, appearing in places such as the Heilongjiang River estuary, the Firth of Forth in Scotland, and the Rhine.

4. The feeding habits of the beluga whale

The beluga whale's prey is fairly varied. It can eat smelt, flounder, cod, salmon, and so on, and also eats invertebrates such as shrimp, crabs, octopus, and squid as well as other marine organisms. The beluga whale does not have sharp large teeth, and when feeding it generally sucks in the whole food item; if the food is too large, it may choke.

5. The natural enemies of the beluga whale

The natural enemies of the beluga whale are the killer whale and the polar bear. Polar bears generally wait around the breathing holes where beluga whales are trapped by ice, deliver a fatal blow, and then drag them onto the ice to eat. Killer whales arrive around August and attack beluga whales.

7. The reproduction of the beluga whale

Male beluga whales generally take 7 to 9 years to reach maturity, while female beluga whales need 4 to 7 years to develop and mature, and the usual reproductive interval is 2 to 3 years. The beluga whale's breeding season is from late February to early April, with a 14-month gestation period. The beluga calf is born from May to July, and the young beluga whale is dark gray all over. When the female whale gives birth, escort pods patrol around; after birth is complete, the main body of the pod withdraws, leaving only young nursing females. The nursing ground is generally chosen in waters with a water temperature of about 10°C, close to a river.

The above is a summary of some beluga whale-related information, and we hope it can help you better understand the beluga whale.