Habitat and Distribution
Primary Regions: Arctic and Sub-Arctic Waters:
The primary regions of beluga whales are the Arctic and sub-Arctic, and they are also known as “white whales.” Their physical and behavioral variation is specifically suitable for these cold regions, where they thrive. Beluga whales choose cold waters and are widely distributed across the Arctic and sub-Arctic areas.
In the Arctic, they are commonly found in locations such as Hudson Bay and the St. Lawrence River in Canada, as well as Cook Inlet and the Bering Sea in Alaska. They are also abundant in Greenland and Russia. In the sub-Arctic regions, belugas can be seen near northern Norway, particularly around the Svalbard archipelago.
Their thick blubber layer helps them survive in freezing waters, while the absence of a dorsal fin prevents injuries from ice or rocky areas. This unique adaptation also allows them to remain safe from predators like killer whales as they navigate shallow coastal areas where they can hunt easily. They both present a secure setting for the mother whales and their calves.
Beluga whales mainly feed in cold waters and eat fish, squid, and shrimp. Such adaptions make them live in icy extreme conditions while making them safe at the same time providing their food as well.
Seasonal Migrations and the Habitat of Beluga Whales
Beluga whales, famously called “sea canaries” for their vocal nature, are dependent on annual migrations to fulfill their survival needs, and therefore such journeys are crucial in their existence.
1. Spring Migration (March to May):
Their initial migration happens from March to May. At such time, they swim toward the coast of Russia and Canada. When the warmth is gentle, they move nearer to shallow waters where they can feed more easily. This is because, at this period, the prey species of those animals become more active, giving them ample feeding opportunities.
2. Summer Movement (June to August):
The second migration period is from June to August, known as the summer migration. In this period, beluga whales migrated to more shallow coastal areas of both Canada and Russia. They migrate to these areas because the warmer waters support their molting process, where they shed old skin and grow new skin, an essential process for maintaining their health. During this time, they interact with one another and give birth to their calves. These regions also provide safety for the whales and their calves, protecting them from predators like killer whales.
3. Autumn Migration (September to November):
The third migration period is known as autumn migration, which takes place between September and November. Here, the ice starts to form. In case the whales move slowly to the coastlines, they easily get trapped in the newly formed ice. To avoid this, they move into deeper waters where there is still food. As the ice forms, most of the prey species from shallow water sites migrate down to deep water, making feeding easier for the whales.
4. Winter Migration (December to February):
The last period of migration is winter migration, which occurs between December and February. At this time, they generally prefer deep waters because they use ice cracks and polynyas to breathe. Thick ice in such regions safeguards them from predators, and they can acquire sufficient food to sustain their energy requirements, which is a must for their survival.
Belugas in Captivity vs Wild Belugas:
There are many differences between wild belugas and those in captivity, especially with respect to the environment and diet.
Firstly, wild belugas prefer living in the Arctic or sub-Arctic oceans, while captive belugas live confined to a tank. Wild belugas have the freedom to move wherever they want because they have plenty of space, whereas captive belugas live in a very limited space, restricted to their tanks with no room to roam.
Wild belugas migrate annually for survival, moving during summer, spring, and winter to adapt to environmental changes. Without migration, they would not survive. In contrast, captive belugas cannot migrate since they are confined to their tanks, but the temperature in these tanks is controlled to help them survive.
Wild belugas must remain vigilant and move around to avoid predators, while captive belugas do not face the threat of predators. Wild belugas live in groups called pods and travel in these groups. On the other hand, captive belugas are rarely seen in groups; they are often kept alone in separate tanks, making them solitary.
Wild belugas use a variety of sounds for communication, a behavior known as vocalization. However, captive belugas do not use the same range of sounds for interaction.
In the wild, belugas hunt for their food and choose what to eat based on the season. Their diet changes with the possibility of prey. Conversely, captive belugas do not hunt; they are fed mostly frozen fish year-round.
Wild beluga have a lifespan of 30 to 50 years if they do not fall prey to predators. However, the lifespan of captive beluga is shorter compared to their wild counterparts. This is because they cannot move freely, are restricted to a monotonous diet, and often live in isolation, which leads to stress, ultimately reducing their lifespan.