Beluga whale fact – naming
The Beluga whale is also known as the White whale and is sometimes colloquially referred to as “the Sea Canary”. The name White whale is derived from the distinct white coloration sported by the adult Beluga whales. The nickname “Sea Canary” comes from the high-pitched squeaks and whistles that the Beluga whales use for communication. Another interesting Beluga whale facts it that these creatures can communicate using belches.

Beluga whale fact – evolution
The Beluga whale hails from a whale species named Denebola brachycephala. This species is now extinct and we know that it lived as early as the Miocene epoch which took place 23-5.5 million years ago. A fossil found in Mexico, on the Peninsula of Baja California, indicates that members of the family Monodontidae once inhabited other waters than today. The geographical range of the Beluga whale might have varied according to the ice pack, but this is not yet an indomitable Beluga whale fact. During ice ages, the Beluga whale probably followed the ice rim and thereby reached environments far away from the Arctic. When an ice age was over and the ice began to melt, the Beluga whales simply followed the ice rim as it contracted towards the North Pole.  

Beluga whale facts – size
The Beluga whale is a comparatively small species of whale. The males can reach a length of 4-5.5 metres, while the females typically stay around 3-4.1 metres. The females are also less heavy than the males and weigh from 454 to 907 kilograms, while the males weigh from 907 to 1,361 kilograms.

Beluga whale facts – anatomy
One of the most prominent Beluga whale facts concerns the distinct, bulbous melon on its head. Research has found out that the Beluga whale is equipped with a sophisticated echolocation system that creates broad-band pulses in a narrow beam that is aimed from this melon. Around the head of the Beluga whale, soft and flexible blubber makes it possible for the animal to easily display a wide range of facial expressions. An older Beluga whale will develop a more prominent melon and pronounced lips, and the skin will be rather rough.  

The Beluga whale is sturdy and the dorsal fin is replaced with a dorsal ridge. The male Beluga whale has a more noticeable dorsal ridge than the female whale, and he will also sport flippers that curl upwards. The upper jaw of the Beluga whale has nine pairs of teeth, while the lower jaw has only eight pairs.     

Beluga whale facts – population
The estimated Beluga whale population consists of 50,000-70,000 specimens. It is a well known Beluga whale fact that hunting of this species is a long tradition throughout their native range, but during the last century the Beluga whales have been overhunted and the population has declined considerably. The Beluga whales are also affected by harbour constructions and river diversions, and certain pollutions can decrease their fertility. In some regions, the Beluga whale populations have been completely eliminated. Beluga whale meat have been sold as food for humans as well as for domesticated animals and the fat used to be sold as a supreme quality lubricant. Beluga whale blubber has been turned into soap and margarine, the bones have been used as fertilizer, and the skin has been utilized in the form of boots and laces.

Whale & Dolphin Articles:

Beluga Whale
Blue Whale
Blue Whale Facts
Bottlenose Dolphin
Bottlenose Dolphin Facts
Humpback Whale
Humpback Whale Facts
Sperm Whale
Pygme Sperm Whale