What kind of animal is a beluga? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. This dolphin has white flesh and is found mainly in the Arctic Ocean. This species is the only one that makes up the genus Beluga. This dolphin is very familiar to humans, so we will introduce it to you.
What is a Beluga? Basic Status
Belugas are marine mammals classified as part of the Mammalia class, Artiodactyla order, Family Narwhalidae, Genus Beluga. They are very large dolphins, with a body length of 3-5m and a weight of 0.5-1.5t. Their scientific name is Delphinapterus leucas, and their English name is Beluga. The kanji for Beluga is “White Sea Pig”. The list of information is as follows.
| Japanese（和名） | シロイルカ |
| English（英名） | Beluga White whale |
| scientific name(学名) | Delphinapterus leucas |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、Artiodactyla/Cetartiodactyla、 Monodontidae、Delphinapterus 哺乳綱、偶蹄目、イッカク科科、シロイルカ属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN |
| Length（体長） | 3-5m |
| Weight（体重） | 0.5-1.5t |
Beluga whale taxonomy
- 界（Kingdom）: 動物界 (Animalia)
- 門（Phylum）: 脊索動物門 (Chordata)
- 綱（Class）: 哺乳綱 (Mammalia)
- 目（Order）: 鯨偶蹄目 / 鯨目 (Cetacea)
- 亜目（Suborder）: 歯鯨亜目 (Odontoceti)
- 科（Family）: ハクジラ科 (Monodontidae)
- 属（Genus）: シロイルカ属 (Delphinapterus)
- 種（Species）: シロイルカ (Delphinapterus leucas)
Habitat
Beluga whales can be seen widely in the Arctic Ocean. They are found in Hudson Bay, Greenland, the north coast of Iceland, and the north coast of Norway.
- Main Habitat
Coastal waters around the Arctic Ocean
Northern Canada (Hudson Bay, Churchill River Estuary)
Northern Alaska (Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea)
Northern Russia (Laptev Sea, Chukotka Sea, around the mouth of the Ob River)
Greenland Coast
Estuarine, Bay, and Shallow Water
In summer, they gather in estuaries and bays to breed and raise their young.
In winter, they migrate along the edge of pack ice to search for food.
- Habitat Characteristics
Water Temperature: Adapted to cold regions (approximately -2°C to 10°C)
Relationship with Sea Ice: Their rounded body shape, lacking a dorsal fin, allows them to swim easily under ice.
Estuarine and Shallow Water: Young animals often grow up safely in shallow water.
Migration: Seasonal coastal migration (estuaries and bays in summer, the edge of sea ice in winter).
- Highlights
Beluga whales sometimes enter freshwater.
Populations have been observed temporarily entering rivers in Alaska and Canada.
Plants live in relatively small to medium sizes (10-50 individuals).
They migrate flexibly depending on feeding grounds and ice conditions.
What are its characteristics? What kind of creature is it?
Beluga whales are large dolphins that come from the Arctic Ocean. They are pure white and have no dorsal fin. They have a fatty tissue called melon in the front of their heads. They use the melon to communicate with each other and for echolocation, generating sound waves by vibrating the back of their nasal cavity. Unlike other toothed whales, melons can change their shape at will. Their heads are small and their pectoral fins curl upward as they age. They are called the “canaries of the sea” because their cries sound like small birds.
- Physical Characteristics
Body Color: Adults are pure white. Juveniles are gray or bluish-gray, turning white as they mature.
Body Shape: Rounded, streamlined, and lacks a dorsal fin.
The lack of a dorsal fin allows them to swim easily under drifting ice.
Body Length and Weight:
Males: Approximately 4-5 m, Females: Approximately 3-4 m
Weight: Approximately 1,000-1,600 kg
Head: A round, soft “melon” emits sound waves (echolocation).
Mouth: Because it appears to be smiling, it is sometimes called the “sea canary.”
- Behavior and Personality
Highly Social
Live in small to medium-sized groups (approximately 10-50 individuals)
Communicate with each other using calls and clicking sounds.
Curious
May approach boats and humans.
Playful
Jumps on the water surface and splashes with their tail fin.
- Biological Characteristics
Diet: Fish (cod, salmon, etc.), squid, and crustaceans
Reproduction: Gives birth to one baby at a time
Gestation Period: Approximately 14-15 months
Raising is dominated by the mother, but they sometimes cooperate in groups
Adaptability
Body shape allows them to swim under drifting ice
They can safely raise their young in estuaries and shallow waters
What is their personality like?
Beluga whales are very social animals that value discipline. They are usually seen in groups. However, they often act alone. They are curious but also fearful, so they behave favorably towards humans.
- Sociable
Live in small to medium-sized groups (approximately 10-50 individuals)
Communicate with each other using vocalizations and clicking sounds
Mothers and their young form strong bonds, and the entire group sometimes helps raise their young.
- Inquisitive
Interested in boats, people, and objects
They often play on the water or sea ice, and may approach observers.
They are nicknamed “sea canaries” because of their vocalizations and playful nature.
- Playful
Jumping on the water, splashing with their tails, and chasing each other.
Young individuals learn hunting and social skills, especially through play.
- Gentle but cautious
Generally not aggressive
Quickly avoids perceived danger, such as boats or predators.
What is their ecology like?
Beluga whales live by eating fish, crustaceans, invertebrates, etc. Mating occurs from February to May and the gestation period is about 14 months. They can give birth to one baby at a time and can live for 30-40 years in the wild. Males reach sexual maturity at 8 years old and females at 5 years old. There is a 2-year gap between births.
- Habitat
Coastal areas, estuaries, and bays around the Arctic Ocean
Northern Canada (Hudson Bay, Churchill River Estuary)
Northern Alaska (Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea)
Northern Russia (Laptev Sea, Chukotka Sea, Ob River Estuary)
Relationship with Pack Ice
Without a dorsal fin, their rounded body shape allows them to swim easily under the ice.
In winter, they search for food by moving along the edge of the sea ice.
Estuarine and shallow waters
Suitable for rearing and breeding young.
- Diet
Mainly fish (cod, salmon, haddock, etc.)
Also eats squid and crustaceans.
Predation Method: They sometimes herd and hunt fish in schools.
- Social and Behavioral Characteristics
Public Life: Small to medium-sized groups of 10-50 individuals
Communication: Communicate using clicks and whistling calls
Swimming Behavior: Jumping on the water surface and splashing with their tail fins
Migration: Move between coastal areas and the sea ice edge depending on the season
- Reproduction and Rearing
Gestation Period: Approximately 14-15 months
Birth: One calf at a time
Rearing: The mother takes the lead, but the entire pack protects the young
Growth: Within a few years, the young reach adult size and learn to hunt and live in groups.
Do they have any natural enemies?
The biggest threat to beluga whales is the killer whale. When they are in danger, they use their melons to warn their companions of the danger.
About Baby Beluga Whales
To take a closer look at baby beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas), their appearance, behavior, and lifestyle differ slightly from those of adult whales.
- Physical Characteristics
Body Length: Approximately 1.2 m at birth
Weight: Approximately 80-100 kg
Body Color: Gray to blue-gray, turning white as they grow
Head and Dorsal Fin: Their rounded head and lack of a dorsal fin are the same as those of adults
- Behavior and Personality
Dependent on Their Mother
For about a year after birth, they swim alongside their mother, protecting them from food and danger.
Playful
Jumping on the surface of the water and splashing with their tail fin and body
Playing games with their packmates
Learning Behavior
They learn how to catch food and the rules of the pack by observing the behavior of their mother and the pack.
- Biological Features
Diet: Breastfed for the first few months
Weaning: Begins eating fish at around 6-12 months
Growth Rate: Reaches near adult size in 1-2 years and is able to participate in pack activities
Dangers: Young animals are sensitive to drifting ice, shallow waters, ships, and predators, making them at high risk
Are beluga whales an endangered species?
Beluga whales are not endangered when viewed as a whole. However, the population in Cook Inlet has drastically decreased due to whaling. More than 2,000 whales are hunted annually throughout the Arctic, which is a very critical situation. There are also concerns about a decrease in the population due to changes in water temperature. In 1979, they were listed as an endangered species in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Environmental destruction caused by the installation of pipelines and the construction of dams for hydroelectric power generation has become a problem.
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Assessment
Beluga whales as a whole
Rated “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List
The population is considered relatively stable throughout the Arctic.
Regional Populations
Some populations in Alaska and Canada are locally vulnerable due to impacts from fishing, shipping, and pollution.
Some populations in the Russian Arctic have been reported to be declining due to mining development and pollution.
- Reasons why they are not endangered
Distributed along the wide Arctic coast.
Living in groups, with a relatively stable reproductive rate.
Their only natural predators are killer whales and large sharks, and they are stable in areas without human impact.
- Caution
Reduction of sea ice due to global warming may affect beluga whale habitats and prey resources.
Populations that gather in estuaries and bays are vulnerable to shipping and water pollution.
Can beluga whales be kept as pets?
Beluga whales are an endangered species and cannot be kept by the general public. If you are looking for them, we recommend visiting an aquarium or other place to view them and getting guided or guided at events. The performances of beluga dolphin shows and play are popular. You can also purchase illustrations, photos, and goods such as stuffed animals at the store. They are noteworthy for their diverse expressions and large size. You can also observe bubble rings, where beluga whales blow ring-shaped bubbles.
- Legal and Conservation Issues
Beluga whales are Arctic wildlife, internationally listed under Appendix II of the CITES, and international trade is strictly restricted.
Even in Japan, capturing and keeping wild beluga whales is prohibited by law.
Only individuals with special permission can be kept in aquariums or research facilities.
- Ecological and Breeding Environment Issues
Large water area required: They live in vast environments along the coasts and estuaries of the Arctic, making them impossible to recreate at home.
Water temperature control is difficult: They are adapted to cold water temperatures (-2°C to 10°C), and maintaining them in an artificial environment requires highly advanced equipment.
Highly social: They live in groups, so keeping them alone is stressful.
Diet: They require large amounts of fish and crustaceans, and their feeding behavior requires training.
- Aquarium Breeding
Only kept in specialized facilities worldwide.
Only a few aquariums in Japan can observe them.
Breeding requires large pools, low water temperature control, veterinarians, and specialized staff.
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