Beluga whale: quick facts
The beluga is an all-white Arctic toothed whale and the narwhal's closest relative. Known as the 'sea canary' for its wide range of chirps and whistles, it has an unusually flexible neck and a bulbous forehead, and lacks a dorsal fin — an adaptation, like the narwhal, for life under sea ice.
Scientific name
Delphinapterus leucas
Group
Toothed whale
Length
About 3.5–5.5 m
Weight
Up to ~1,600 kg
Lifespan
~35–60 years
Diet
Fish, squid, crustaceans
Range
Arctic & subarctic seas worldwide
Population
~150,000+
Conservation
Least Concern
Sources: NOAA Fisheries — Beluga Whale; IUCN Red List — Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas). Educational information only. See our sources & fact-check policy.