Physical Characteristics of Beluga Whale
Beluga whales are uniquely adapted to the Arctic habitat. When they are born, their colour is brown or grey, and when they mature, their colour completely changes to white. Their flexible neck can move in any direction, which is very useful for hunting. The melon on their head gives them the power of echolocation, allowing them to produce sound waves, which helps them move in dark areas. Their thick layer of fat insulates them from the cold and helps in energy storage. Belugas do not have a dorsal fin, which helps them navigate in icy areas. Males can grow up to 18 feet and weigh 1600 kg, while females can grow up to 14 feet and weigh 1200 kg.
Colour and Unique Features:
The beluga whale is totally grey or brown at birth. It helps them avoid their predators. After about one month, the colour of the beluga whales changes from grey to dark grey or dark blue. When the belugas grow up, the color gradually becomes entirely white. Their white colour refers to their being grown-ups and mature. This colour affords them important benefits, like hunting and then escaping from their predators in icy and rocky regions. Moreover, the white color is an important factor in their society because it aids their body language, which is as necessary for communication. The white colour becomes brighter each year as their skin sheds annually and is replaced with new skin, enhancing their beauty. Female belugas become fully white by the age of 7, while males reach full white colour by the age of 9.
Beluga whales have many unique features. Beluga whales have highly flexible necks that allow them to move their head in all directions. This flexibility enables them to hunt species hidden beneath the ground. Another unique feature is the rounded structure on their head called the melon, which makes their echolocation ability in them more enhanced and helps them locate prey much more precisely. Their exceptional hearing power was a gift of nature, so they were able to detect prey from even great distances and identify its accurate location and direction.
Yet, their bodies are covered with blubber that is up to 5 inches thick, helping them to survive freezing temperatures and acting as food. Another adapted feature is that they do not have dorsal fins; they help them swim through under ice without suffering injuries from bumping into the ice or rocky bottoms. Their teeth are very small compared to other whales and are cone-shaped. They are also very friendly, with faces that appear to be smiling. Additionally, they can mimic a variety of different sounds. Beluga whales like to live in small groups, known as pods.
Size and Weight:
When beluga whales are born, their size is about 5 feet, and their weight ranges from 41 to 66 kg. Females are 25% smaller than males. Males are generally larger than females in body weight because the extra weight is important for their dominance and strength, which are essential for their mating behavior. Adult males grow to a size between 11 to 18 feet, and their weight is 1,100 to 1,600 kg. Adult females grow to a size between 9 to 14 feet, and their weight is 700 to 1,200 kg. They undergo complete physical changes by the age of 10. A significant portion of a beluga’s weight is also influenced by its blubber, which can be up to 5 inches thick. According to scientific research, 40 to 50% of their body consists of fat. A beluga’s lifetime depends on its size; as its size increases, its lifetime also extends. Larger belugas, which are farther from other belugas, tend to live longer, with their lifespan increasing to around 40 to 60 years.
Body Structure and Adaptations:
The body shape of beluga whales is streamlined and cigar-shaped, which helps them swim smoothly and increases their swimming speed. The upper part of a beluga whale’s head, in the shape of a circle, is called the melon. The melon changes its shape when the whale produces sounds, and this feature is crucial for their vocalization and echolocation. Their neck is very flexible, which distinguishes them from other whales. Belugas have a thick layer of blubber on their bodies, which measures about 5 inches, and the body contains 40 to 50% fat. They do not have any dorsal fins that would have helped them avoid hitting rock or ice objects. Without the dorsal fin, they swim freely in deep water smoothly. Their pectoral fins help them make sharp turns, while their tail flukes increase their swimming speed; thus, they can move rapidly.
Their flexible neck helps them in hunting in deep waters and protecting themselves from predators, as it allows them to turn their heads in any direction. Their thick skin and the absence of a dorsal fin are adaptations that help them survive in cold waters.
Beluga Whale vs. Other Whales
Feature |
Beluga Whale |
Other Whales |
|---|---|---|
|
Colour at Birth |
Grey or brown |
Typically grey, black, or mottled |
|
Adult Colour |
White |
Varies (e.g., grey, black, or blue) |
|
Neck Flexibility |
Highly flexible |
Generally rigid |
|
Dorsal Fin |
Absent |
Present in most species |
|
Echolocation Ability |
Highly advanced, aided by the melon |
Present but varies among species |
|
Blubber Thickness |
Up to 5 inches |
Varies, generally less in tropical species |
|
Teeth |
Small, cone-shaped |
Larger, often specialized |
|
Social Structure |
Lives in pods |
Pod sizes and dynamics vary |
Unique adaptation for cold environment:
Beluga whales have remarkable adaptations that greatly help them survive in Arctic and sub-Arctic waters. The foremost feature is their thick layer of blubber, which is approximately 5 inches thick and helps keep them protected from the cold while also reserving energy. When food is not available, this energy proves useful to them. Their streamlined, cigar-shaped body greatly aids them in swimming. Their lack of a dorsal fin helps them navigate icy areas, as the absence of a dorsal fin protects them from collisions with ice and rocks.
Their flexible neck can rotate 360 degrees, helping them hunt animals hidden on the ground. Their small, cone-shaped teeth assist them in hunting as they have a strong grip. The melon on top of their head provides them with echolocation abilities, helping them detect prey and navigate in dark areas.
Their social behaviour, meaning pods, also plays a crucial role in their survival, as they prefer living in pods. This helps them hunt more easily, as they often hunt in groups, making it easier to catch prey. Additionally, they have many other adaptations for various needs.
