beluga whales by zoe wood. color beluga whales are gray when they’re babies and white when...

Beluga WhalesBeluga Whales

By Zoe WoodBy Zoe Wood

ColorColor

• Beluga whales are gray when they’re Beluga whales are gray when they’re babies and white when they’re babies and white when they’re adults.adults.

LengthLength

• The Beluga whale is one of the The Beluga whale is one of the smallest species of whales. Adult smallest species of whales. Adult Belugas are 13 to 20 feet long.Belugas are 13 to 20 feet long.

WeightWeight

• Beluga whales can weigh from 3,000 Beluga whales can weigh from 3,000 to 3,300 pounds.to 3,300 pounds.

HabitatHabitat

• Beluga whales are found in the Arctic Beluga whales are found in the Arctic and subarctic waters.and subarctic waters.

DietDiet

• The beluga’s diet is small squid, The beluga’s diet is small squid, crabs, clams, shrimp, sandworms, crabs, clams, shrimp, sandworms, and fish. Young salmon is their and fish. Young salmon is their favorite. They eat 50 – 60 pounds of favorite. They eat 50 – 60 pounds of food a day.food a day.

How Long Do They LiveHow Long Do They Live

• Beluga whales can live from 35 – 50 Beluga whales can live from 35 – 50 years.years.

PredatorsPredators

• Their predators are orcas and polar Their predators are orcas and polar bears.bears.

Toothed or BaleenToothed or Baleen

• Belugas have 10 teeth on either side Belugas have 10 teeth on either side of its upper or lower jaw.of its upper or lower jaw.

Body PartsBody Parts

• The beluga’s body is thick and The beluga’s body is thick and muscular. It has a round head and a muscular. It has a round head and a narrow neck. narrow neck.

Special AptitudesSpecial Aptitudes

• They have a “melon” shaped forehead They have a “melon” shaped forehead which can change its shape.which can change its shape.

• They have no dorsal fin but a narrow They have no dorsal fin but a narrow ridge down their backs.ridge down their backs.

• They are called theThey are called the

sea canary becausesea canary because

of their noises.of their noises.

MigrationMigration

• They travel in groups from 2 or 3 up They travel in groups from 2 or 3 up to several hundred. Some are to several hundred. Some are migratory within a limited range migratory within a limited range while others remain in a particular while others remain in a particular area. area.