SPECIES
Beluga whale
Delphinapterus leucas
A white Arctic whale navigates an underwater world through a rich repertoire of sounds.
Belugas are social and use echolocation and vocal signals, earning the nickname canary of the sea.
They feed on fish and invertebrates and move seasonally among coastal and offshore waters.
Arctic and sub-Arctic waters, including river estuaries in some seasons.
Where does a beluga whale live?
Arctic and sub-Arctic waters, including river estuaries…
Worth knowing
- Adaptation Belugas are social and use echolocation and vocal signals, earning the nickname canary of the sea.
- Ecological role They feed on fish and invertebrates and move seasonally among coastal and offshore waters.
- Home Arctic and sub-Arctic waters, including river estuaries in some seasons.
How it survives
Belugas are social and use echolocation and vocal signals, earning the nickname canary of the sea.
A white Arctic whale navigates an underwater world through a rich repertoire of sounds.
Why relationships matter
They feed on fish and invertebrates and move seasonally among coastal and offshore waters.
Where it lives
Arctic and sub-Arctic waters, including river estuaries in some seasons.
Pressures and responses
Noise, pollution, hunting pressure and sea-ice changes; severity varies by population.
Protect important estuaries and reduce underwater noise with local partners.
Sources
- University of Michigan Museum of Zoology — Animal Diversity Web, Delphinapterus leucas
- GBIF — Delphinapterus leucas accepted taxon
Records of where it has been seen come live from GBIF; observed interactions from GloBI. Draft — not yet reviewed by a person.