5 Beluga Whale Facts For Kids
Beluga whales might just be the white whale of Moby Dick lore. Their unusual color makes them one of the most recognizable animals in the sea today. They tend to living in the colder waters that are near the Arctic Ocean and don’t generally grow to be very big. The males of the species can be about 20 feet long and they don’t have a dorsal fin.
Do you want to know more about these cool creatures of the sea? Then be sure to take a look at the facts about beluga whales found right here!
1. Just Like a Dolphin
Although these animals are whales, they tend to act more like dolphins. They live together in groups that are called pods and are extremely social animals. They have a very diverse language of different noise that sound like clicks and bangs, but they also have a unique ability that other animals like them don’t have: they can mimic sounds that they hear.
2. Use Those Teeth
Baluga whales have actual teeth that they use to eat. They’re not very picky eaters because you never know what kind of food will come your way in the Arctic waters! This means they’ll feed on a number of different species of fish, catch crabs, enjoy the occasional octopus, and even have a sandworm or snail snack if the moment is right.
3. Different Pods Have Different Characteristics
A pod of beluga whales can be as few as 3, while others might have several hundred whales living together. No matter what the size of the pod might be, each social group has unique characteristics that makes them different. Some pods will migrate, while other pods stay where they are every year. Some prefer to stay close to shore, while others prefer the waters of the open sea. In the summer months, they may even swim up inland rivers.
4. The Kids Stick Around
Beluga whales can live for up to 50 years out in the wild, so the maturation process is rather slow at first. When calves are born, most of them will stick around with their mamas for about 2 years and feed by nursing instead of from food gathered in from hunting. Even after they grow up, there is a good chance that the young whales will stick with their pod instead of forming their own or joining another.
5. Which Way Did He Go?
Beluga whales are one of the few animals of the sea that we know of that can actually swim backwards if they want. Part of the reason for this is their increased bouyancy. There are air pockets within its forehead that can be manipulated by the beluga whale by blowing air around its sinuses. This can make it change its overall appearance on a moment’s notice too.
A beluga whale in captivity once saved a diver who was distressed by pushing her to the surface of the water. These animals are smart, sophisticated, and remarkably friendly. By knowing facts like these, we can help to continue protecting them so that they can survive and thrive.
