Beluga

The beluga is a small whale that lives in the cold waters of the Arctic and nearby subarctic seas. Unlike most whales, adult belugas are almost entirely white, a color that helps them blend into sea ice. Calves are born gray or brown and gradually become lighter as they grow. Belugas have no dorsal fin, which allows them to swim more easily beneath floating ice.

They also have a flexible neck because the bones in their neck are not fused, enabling them to turn their heads from side to side. These whales are highly social and often travel in groups of a few individuals or in much larger gatherings during seasonal migrations. Their rich variety of clicks, whistles and calls has earned them the nickname "canaries of the sea," as they rely on sound to communicate and to navigate using echolocation.

Belugas feed on fish, crustaceans, worms and other small marine animals found on or near the seafloor. They usually dive for only a few minutes, although deeper and longer dives are possible when necessary. Females normally give birth to a single calf after a pregnancy lasting about fourteen to fifteen months, and mothers care for their young for several years.

In many Arctic regions, belugas migrate with the changing seasons, following openings in the sea ice and areas where food is abundant. Although some populations remain stable, others have declined because of pollution, underwater noise, habitat changes, hunting and the effects of climate change. Protecting these whales also helps preserve the fragile Arctic ecosystems where they live.