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Beluga Whale

Beluga whales are instantly recognizable by their bright white color and rounded foreheads. Known as the “canaries of the sea” for their wide range of vocalizations, these highly social whales thrive in the cold Arctic and sub-Arctic waters of the Northern Hemisphere.

 

Belugas are on the smaller side for whales, growing up to 4.9 meters (16 feet long). They are well adapted for the frigid northern waters where they live: thick blubber and skin insulates them to help them stay warm and lack of a dorsal fin helps them navigate under and around sea ice. Unlike other whales, they also have a flexible neck, allowing them to move their head from side to side. In the summer, belugas are commonly found in shallow coastal waters, and sometime even in estuaries and up rivers, but they may travel to deeper waters during other seasons. They are not born with their striking bright white color — beluga calves are dark grey — but as they age, their skin lightens. 

These whales are highly social animals, often seen in pods that range from just a few individuals to several hundred during migrations. They communicate with each other through a rich variety of sounds like clicks, whistles, moos, and chirps. These vocalizations are also key to their echolocation, helping them navigate and hunt in dark, icy waters. Belugas feed on a wide variety of prey, including fish, squid, clams, shrimp, and crabs. 

 

 

Historically hunted for sport, overexploitation once posed a threat to small subpopulations. Now, the hunting of belugas is largely banned, and while these animals are not endangered still face a variety of threats

Climate Change 

While it is not known exactly how climate change is impacting belugas, warming oceans lead to a decrease in sea ice and potential changes in prey abundance. As water temperatures continue to rise, the changing environment may also impact their ability to navigate and migrate. 

Offshore Drilling 

Offshore oil drilling can increase ship traffic and other human activities like seismic blasting that can disturb belugas. Additionally, offshore drilling increases the risk of oil spills which contaminate their habitat and threaten their food sources and health.  

 

 

Offshore drilling is a dirty and dangerous business that is polluting our oceans and accelerating the climate crisis. Stopping the expansion of offshore drilling helps protect belugas from oil spills as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. You can learn more about Oceana’s campaign to protect our coasts and oceans from this threat here. 

 

 

 

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