❔ Q & A section ❔
1️⃣ Where do beluga whales live?
Belugas reside in the coastal regions of the Arctic but head south during the cold winter months, sometimes even chasing smelt into rivers.
2️⃣ Do belugas live in groups?
Yes, live cam viewers will immediately notice that belugas are very social mammals. They usually reside with other belugas in groups called pods and communicate with each other through a series of clicks, clangs, and whistles. As you may hear, these whales have also learned how to mimic other sounds. Their talkative ness has earned them the nickname "canaries of the sea."
3️⃣ What do belugas eat?
Belugas' diets include smaller fish, crustaceans, and worms. Belugas hunt in water columns and seafloors and have been known to dive down into the depths of up to 2,000 feet. Once on the seafloor, belugas will suck unsuspecting prey into its mouth. Unlike other whales, belugas have necks that are flexible that allow them to have a wide range of movement, making foraging the ocean floor for food that much easier.
4️⃣ Why are the smaller belugas a different color?
Baby belugas, or calves, are often brown or dark gray upon birth, only turning white when they have reached sexual maturity at about five years old. Calves often stay and nurse with their mother for up to a year. During this time, it is common that mothers with calves live separately from pods that include other male belugas.
5️⃣ How long do belugas live?
A beluga's lifespan ranges from 25 to 30 years.
6️⃣ What animals prey on belugas?
The biggest threat to belugas is man. Humans have hunted belugas for their thick blubber--which is used both for sustenance and shelter--for centuries. During the 1800s, commercial hunting became a worldwide phenomenon and belugas were hunted extensively.
Industrial runoff and oil exploration also pose a significant threat to belugas. Toxins from these ventures end up in the ocean and are first ingested by smaller species that belugas eventually consume. These toxins become more concentrated as they make their way up the food chain; materials like lead or mercury can seriously weaken a beluga's immune system, making it susceptible to disease.
Besides humans, orcas and polar bears also hunt belugas, especially small calves.

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