Beluga Whaleシロイルカ

Species Data

Classification

Artiodactyla (Cetacea) / Monodontidae Source

Distribution

Beluga whales have a circumpolar distribution across Arctic and sub-Arctic waters, including Hudson Bay, Greenland, the northern Bering Sea, and the Sea of Okhotsk, reaching as far as 76–80°N in summer. Southernmost populations occur in the St. Lawrence River and Sea of Okhotsk. Source

Did You Know?

• Unlike most cetaceans, belugas have unfused neck vertebrae, letting them turn their heads laterally without rotating their whole body. Source
• Belugas produce up to 11 distinct types of sounds — clicks, whistles, trills, and squawks among them — earning them the nickname 'canaries of the sea.' Source
• Both wild and captive belugas have been reported to produce sounds that mimic the rhythm and tone of human speech. Source

FAQ

Why is the beluga whale called the canary of the sea?

Because of its wide range of vocalizations — up to 11 distinct sound types including clicks, whistles, trills, and squawks — which is unusually varied for a whale. Source

Are beluga whales endangered?

The species overall is Least Concern, but the Cook Inlet population in Alaska is critically endangered, with roughly 300 individuals left, due to development, boat traffic, and pollution. Source

Why can beluga whales turn their heads?

Unlike most whales, belugas have unfused neck vertebrae, which allows them to turn their heads laterally without rotating their entire body — an adaptation that helps with hunting and predator avoidance. Source