Home › Mammalia › Monodontidae › Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas)
SPECIES PROFILE
Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas)
Delphinapterus
IUCN STATUS
Endangered
CONSERVATION STATUS
Endangered
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Arctic Ocean and sub-Arctic seas; isolated populations in Cook Inlet, the St. Lawrence, and Hudson Bay
DIET
Carnivore
HABITAT
Arctic and subarctic waters; the St. Lawrence River population uses the estuary year-round and forages near the bottom
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Cetacea
FAMILY
Monodontidae
GENUS
Delphinapterus
📋 Description
SIZE
3.5–5.5 m; 700–1,500 kg
COLORATION
Adults pure white; calves grey-brown at birth lightening to white over 7 years; no dorsal fin
ADAPTATIONS
Flexible neck allows head rotation unlike most cetaceans; melon used for echolocation and communication; capable of changing facial expression
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Arctic and subarctic waters; the St. Lawrence River population uses the estuary year-round and forages near the bottom
DIET
Carnivore
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Arctic Ocean and sub-Arctic seas; isolated populations in Cook Inlet, the St. Lawrence, and Hudson Bay
REPRODUCTION
Single calf born in summer after 14-month gestation; calf nursed for 2 years; strong mother-offspring bonds
DIET DETAILS
Fish including capelin, cod, and herring, plus squid, octopus, crabs, and shrimp foraged near the sea floor
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Industrial contaminants accumulated in blubber; ship strikes; noise pollution; prey depletion
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The St. Lawrence beluga population was heavily hunted until the 1970s and is now severely contaminated with industrial pollutants; stranded animals qualify as hazardous waste.
2
Belugas are called "canaries of the sea" for their remarkable vocal range; they produce clicks, chirps, and whistles and are known to mimic sounds including human speech.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Tadoussac, QC, is the most accessible location to see St. Lawrence Belugas from shore or by boat
Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay near Chicoutimi, QC, provides fjord cruises past beluga feeding areas
Île-aux-Coudres in the St. Lawrence near Baie-Saint-Paul, QC, has beluga sightings from the shore
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Summer. Cruise the St. Lawrence River near Tadoussac where belugas feed year-round; best from June to October.
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
June to October: whale watching boats from Tadoussac and Baie-Sainte-Catherine provide close encounters; hydrophones pick up their vocalisations.
