Conservation
Scientific Classification
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Infraorder | Cetacea |
| Family | Monodontidae |
| Genus | Delphinapterus |
| Binomial name | Delphinapterus leucas |
Range Map
Description
The beluga is easy to spot due to its almost pure white, yellowish or pale gray color. They have no mottling on either side. They grow from 9.8-18 ft (3-5.5m) with a weight of 1,100-3,500 lbs.
They have a gestation period of 12-14.5 months and give birth to one calf. They eat a wide variety of fish, squid, octopuses and molluscs.
Beluga whales change color as they get older, with a pale gray at birth, then dark-brown to brownish-gray, then completely white at the age of ten years old.
They can be seen close to shore, and when stranded can generally survive until the tide comes back in.