KidZone Animals
Whales: Beluga Whales
"Beluga oceangrafic"; used with permission under CC BY-SA 2.0
Beluga whales, or Delphinapterus leucas, are part of the family Monodontidae. The only other whale in this family is the Narwhal. They belong to the suborder Odontoceti (toothed whales), making the Beluga whale a medium-sized, toothed whale commonly found in the Arctic North.
The name "Beluga" comes from the Russian word "belukha," which means "white." This is why the Beluga whale is often called the White whale.
The Beluga whale has paddle-shaped flippers and a broad tail fluke, allowing it swiftness and flexibility in the water. Despite being a round, stout whale without a dorsal fin, the Beluga whale is an agile swimmer with a flexible neck and a forehead bulge called a "melon."
Beluga whales can grow up to 5 meters (16 feet) long, with males being larger than females. They can weigh up to 3,300 pounds (1,500 kilograms)! Regardless of size, Beluga whales always appear to be the happiest animals in the kingdom and are (arguably) the cutest whales!
Key Points:
- Family: Beluga whales are part of the Monodontidae family.
- Suborder: They belong to the suborder Odontoceti (toothed whales).
- Habitat: Commonly found in the Arctic North.
- Physical Characteristics: Known for their white color, paddle-shaped flippers, broad tail fluke, flexible neck, and forehead bulge called a "melon."
- Size: Can grow up to 5 meters (16 feet) and weigh up to 3,300 pounds (1,500 kilograms).
Beluga Whales facts coloring pages and posters
