The White Whale (Delphinapterus leucas)
The snow-white beluga whale is a cetacean (a group that includes, dolphins, whales and porpoises). The most striking features of the beluga are their white color and lack of a dorsal fin; in fact their genus name 'Delphinapterus' means 'dolphin-without-a-wing'. Belugas have very flexible lips which allow them to form a variety of facial expressions as well as a wide range of vocalizations which earned them the nickname “sea canary” by early arctic sailors(Belikov and Bel'kovich, 2003). Most importantly they have an extremely thick layer of blubber that serves as insulation and accounts for 43.4% of their body weight (only 15.9% muscle)(Kastelein et al., 1994).
Beluga hunting is very important to many aboriginal peoples in Canada and Alaska as both a food resource and as a recreational/cultural activity thus it is extremely important that more information is learned about these populations. The beluga is currently listed as a vulnerable species on the red list.
This website contains a collection of information that is currently known about this magnificent creature including its Habitat use, Social Behaviors, and Reproduction and Development
