WATERY WEDNESDAY# 19
We’ve got our wet suits on, we’re bundled up and we’re head to the cold arctic waters to find a whale on this Watery Wednesday! Are you ready to meet the white whale? Let’s go…
MEET THE BELUGA WHALE!
Range/Habitat: Arctic Ocean
Diet: Carnivore: fish, mollusks, crustaceans
Length/Weight: 13-18ft/ 1-1 ½ tons
Conservation Status: Threatened
Fun Facts:
- Beluga whales are white to ivory in color. This helps them blend in with the arctic ice.
- Beluga whales are highly social and can be seen in groups called pods.
- They are very vocal too. They make all kinds of sounds, including clicks, whistles, and squeaks.
- They are often called the sea canary because they are so vocal.
- Beluga whales use echolocation to find prey. Echolocation is when an animal sends out a sound wave and it come back (echoes) to the animal giving them the distance and size of the object.
- Beluga whales have large melons on top of their head that is full of oils, tissue and fats. It is thought that the melons help them with echolocation and sound production.
- Baby beluga whales are gray when they are born and turn white by the age of 5.
- Beluga whales can swim backwards and turn their heads, unlike most other whales.
- They have a mouth full of teeth used to eat their prey, but they also use suction to suck up their prey.
Beluga whales are a very special member of the whale family! Their closest relative is the narwhal (Here’s our post about them: https://ellieandedmond.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=117&action=edit ). Want to hear some of the sounds they can make? You should try out your Beluga whale impression after you watch the video! Edmond will be trying his all day, much to the dismay of Ellie J!
Listen hear:
The Adventures of Ellie and Edmond 