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Delphinapterus leucas
TAXONOMY
Delphinus leucas (Pallas, 1776), mouth of Ob River, northeastern Siberia, Russia.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
French: Belouga, marsouin blanc; German: Weissfisch; Spanish: Beluga.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Length 13–16 ft (3.9–4.9 m); weight 1,500–3,500 lb (700–1,600 kg).
DISTRIBUTION
Circumpolar in Arctic and subarctic; relict populations in St. Lawrence River, Canada; Cook Inlet, Alaska.
HABITAT
Marine and estuarine waters of almost any depth, depending on season and circumstance. Concentrate in shallow estuaries to molt, but also move into deep trenches where they dive to depths in excess of 3,300 ft (1,000 m). Occasionally ascend rivers. Tend to stay in polynyas and large coastal expanses of open water in winter, but can also be found in cracks and lanes in dense pack ice.
BEHAVIOR
Usually occur in pods of two to 10 animals, often with several associated pods. Swim slowly and roll at surface, usually without lifting head or flukes clear of water. Pure whiteness of
adults makes them conspicuous, but also can make it difficult to tell them apart from whitecaps and small ice floes. Varied vocal repertoire; known to some whalers as "sea canary."
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
The diet includes shrimp, squid, octopus, marine worms, and many species of fish.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Single calf born in late spring or early summer, following gestation period of 14 to 14.5 months. Calves nurse for up to two years. Inter-birth interval averages three years. Female likely to bear first calf at age six or seven, male likely to mate successfully at age seven or older. Mating system is unknown.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Overall, still relatively abundant (over 100,000 individuals), but many populations reduced from past and continuing hunting pressure. Damming of northern rivers for hydroelectric power; industrial pollution of riverine, estuarine, and coastal habitat; and rapid climatic warming likely to have discrete and cumulative effects on populations.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Subsistence use of skin, plus some blubber and meat, is important to maritime Inuit of Canada, Alaska, and Greenland. Live-capture continues to supply animals for display; most new captive stock in recent years has come from Sea of Okhotsk, Russia. Limited amount of nature tourism in specific areas.
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