white whale

(click to enlarge)
Beluga, or white whale (Delphinapterus leucas). (credit: E.R. Degginger/EB Inc.)

Species (Delphinapterus leucas) of whale found in the Arctic Ocean and adjacent seas, in both deep offshore and coastal waters. It may also enter rivers that empty into far northern seas. A toothed whale with a rounded forehead and no dorsal fin, the beluga is about 13 ft (4 m) long. Born dark blue-gray or blackish, it fades to white or cream at 4 – 5 years of age. It feeds on fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans and usually lives in groups of five to 10. It has been hunted commercially for its oil, hide, and flesh, and is used in the Arctic as food for humans and dogs.

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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.

Beluga may refer to:

• Beluga (whale), a type of whale
• Beluga (sturgeon), the fish whose roe is sold as Beluga caviar

• Airbus Beluga, large transport airplane
• Beluga class submarine, Russian submarine class
• Beluga Shipping, German project and heavy-lift shipping company
• Beluga School for Life, Thai educational non-profit organization

• Beluga, Alaska, United States community

See also

• Baby Beluga, 1980 album by Raffi

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