Incredible Belugas: 5 facts about "sea canaries"

Beautiful beluga whales captivate people around the world. SSPDaily has compiled five facts to help you better understand these wonderful marine mammals.

Slow-swimming animals with a unique pace

With an average speed of 2-6 miles per hour (3-9 km/h), beluga whales prefer leisurely swimming. However, they can reach speeds of up to 14 miles per hour (22 km/h).

Although they don't win races, their slow pace allows them to navigate well, making them adaptable to their environment.

Voracious appetite

Beluga whales consume about 15 kilograms of fish daily. They don't grab prey but suck it up, and in pursuit of food, they often enter large rivers. Such a huge appetite sustains beluga whales and ensures their viability.

Study of nasal discharge

As unusual as it may sound, researchers are finding value in beluga whale snot. By analyzing the hormones contained in their nasal secretions, scientists gain insight into their stress levels. This unconventional research method helps understand the life of these animals and identify potential stressors they face.

A chorus of communication

Known as "sea canaries," beluga whales have amazing vocal talents. They have a repertoire of distinctive squeaks, pops, whistles, and chirps that allow them to express themselves and communicate with other beluga whales in the vicinity.

Motherhood

Beluga whales demonstrate the patience and devotion characteristic of exceptional parents. The gestation period lasts about 12 months, and the female gives birth to 1-2 cubs. This is followed by an 18-month rearing period, but females do not give birth every year. Such a long reproductive cycle, combined with the high degree of dependence of the cubs on them, results in breeding only once every three years.