![beluga whale knees beluga whale knees](http://cdn.iflscience.com/images/66fd5da4-9ee9-55d3-8701-45c42faddabc/default-1528468039-cover-image.jpg)
Many of the individuals alive in North American captive facilities today were taken in Canadian waters where a reported 68 belugas were captured between 19. Belugas continued to be captured in Canadian waters until a ban was introduced in Canada in 1992. In 1865 the museum burnt down, killing the two remaining belugas. Others, however, undertake seasonal migrations to and from their favourite feeding and breeding grounds, the latter of which can be several hundred miles up-river.īelugas have been on display in captivity since 1861, when a number of individuals were captured in Canadian waters and put on display at Barnum's American Museum in New York. Some populations have decided to put down roots and are resident in one particular area, for example the Cook Inlet in Alaska where unfortunately their numbers are in decline and they are recognised as being ‘Critically Endangered’. Where do beluga whales live?īeluga whales live in the high latitudes of the northern hemisphere in cold Arctic and sub-Arctic waters. Despite having teeth, belugas don’t actually chew their food, preferring to swallow it down whole. What do beluga whales eat?Įating a wide variety of fish, belugas will happily eat cod, herring and salmon, as well as squid, shrimps and crabs. Far from cute, this imprisonment is a total violation of belugas’ right to freedom and only serves to perpetuate the ongoing hunts already taking place. Irresponsibly marketed by so-called marine parks, images of open-mouthed children staring up at belugas behind glass screens are all too common. Hunted both for food and entertainment, these magnificent individuals often fall foul of human greed. Natural prey for both polar bears and orcas, beluga whales have also been heavily exploited by man over the years, and it continues to this day. Unfortunately, the heart-breaking truth is that life for belugas is extremely difficult. On the whole, males prefer travelling with each other, and females with other females and their children. They travel in relatively large pods and like to mix things up a bit it, switching between different groups on a regular basis. What’s life like for a beluga whale?īeluga whales lead highly social lives.
![beluga whale knees beluga whale knees](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ef/9a/65/ef9a65e90d0b30d0aca043f9aeb3a4eb.jpg)
This often forms thick rubbery folds along the sides and belly, keeping them nice and warm. Given their choice of habitat, a beluga's body needs to be robust and is wrapped in a thick layer of blubber. This yellowy hue is soon lost during summer moulting though – a rather unusual event for cetaceans – restoring them to their pearly glow. A yellowish tinge can sometimes be seen on adult belugas, caused by a layer of algae growing on their skin. Beluga whales are unlike any other whale, dolphin or porpoise. Born dark grey, with a bluish or brownish tinge that gets lighter with age, belugas turn pure white between 5 to 12 years of age.