Beluga Whales Research Paper
Beluga Whales
Beluga whales are one of the smallest species of whales. These whales are one of the two members of the Monodontidae family, along with the narwhal. This whale is sometimes referred to as the “sea canary” due to it’s high pitched squeak. This whale has adapted to life in the Arctic. It has developed many characteristics to help it with living in this cold water. It’s body has a high percentage of blubber to help keep it warm. These whales can weigh up to 3,500 pounds. These whales have also developed a special kind of hearing called echolocation, which helps it to find blowholes under the sheet of ice in the Arctic. Most beluga whales live on a diet of fish, crustaceans, squid, octopus, crabs, sand worms, and other small prey. They consume on average,
between 23% of their body weight every day. Despite having teeth, these whales don’t chew their food, they swallow it whole. When they are hunting, they usually find their food near the bottom of shallow coastal shores. They hunt their prey in pods of 5 or more whales. They herd the prey together into tight balls and attack it. Belugas have a range of habitats. They can sometimes be found in coastal areas like coves, fjords, canals, or bays. They are often seen in the summer in rivers. Generally, their habitat depends on feeding, predators, and reproduction Beluga whales are very sociable. They often travel in small groups, or pods. These pods can contain 225 individuals, but usually they contain
about 10 whales. These pods are not permanent, individuals tend to move from pod to pod. Beluga whales are very cooperative, and frequently hunt together. These whales are a very playful and social species. Belugas are slower swimmers than other toothed whales, such as the Killer whale and dolphins. They usually swim between 1.95.6 mph. Unlike most crustaceans, these whales have the capability to swim backwards. These mammals do not jump out of the water. These animals have a seasonal migratory pattern. In the summertime, they occupy estuaries. Sometimes belugas even follow migrating fish. During the colder months of the year, the water freezes, so the whales tend to migrate south to avoid being trapped in the frozen ice.
Beluga whales are one of the smallest species of whales. These whales are one of the two members of the Monodontidae family, along with the narwhal. This whale is sometimes referred to as the “sea canary” due to it’s high pitched squeak. This whale has adapted to life in the Arctic. It has developed many characteristics to help it with living in this cold water. It’s body has a high percentage of blubber to help keep it warm. These whales can weigh up to 3,500 pounds. These whales have also developed a special kind of hearing called echolocation, which helps it to find blowholes under the sheet of ice in the Arctic. Most beluga whales live on a diet of fish, crustaceans, squid, octopus, crabs, sand worms, and other small prey. They consume on average,
between 23% of their body weight every day. Despite having teeth, these whales don’t chew their food, they swallow it whole. When they are hunting, they usually find their food near the bottom of shallow coastal shores. They hunt their prey in pods of 5 or more whales. They herd the prey together into tight balls and attack it. Belugas have a range of habitats. They can sometimes be found in coastal areas like coves, fjords, canals, or bays. They are often seen in the summer in rivers. Generally, their habitat depends on feeding, predators, and reproduction Beluga whales are very sociable. They often travel in small groups, or pods. These pods can contain 225 individuals, but usually they contain
about 10 whales. These pods are not permanent, individuals tend to move from pod to pod. Beluga whales are very cooperative, and frequently hunt together. These whales are a very playful and social species. Belugas are slower swimmers than other toothed whales, such as the Killer whale and dolphins. They usually swim between 1.95.6 mph. Unlike most crustaceans, these whales have the capability to swim backwards. These mammals do not jump out of the water. These animals have a seasonal migratory pattern. In the summertime, they occupy estuaries. Sometimes belugas even follow migrating fish. During the colder months of the year, the water freezes, so the whales tend to migrate south to avoid being trapped in the frozen ice.