Beluga Whale

Delphinapterus leucas

Safesea

2 Mostly harmless danger 2 out of 5

Beluga Whale — Photo by Javier Yaya Tur / CIUDAD DE LAS ARTES Y LAS CIENCIAS from Valencia, España (CC BY 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons

Photo by Javier Yaya Tur / CIUDAD DE LAS ARTES Y LAS CIENCIAS from Valencia, España (CC BY 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons

What you should know

Beluga whales are gentle, white-colored whales that live in cold Arctic and sub-Arctic oceans. They are very curious and friendly, and are known to swim close to boats and people. They are wild animals, so you should always watch them from a safe distance and never try to touch one in the wild.

Whoa

Belugas can change the shape of their forehead, called the melon, by pushing air around inside their head, which helps them make over 50 different sounds including clicks, whistles, and chirps that earned them the nickname 'canaries of the sea'.

Staying safe around it

This one is genuinely harmless to people. Still look with your eyes and let it go about its day.

Always ask a grown-up before you touch any animal or plant. If something bites or stings you, tell an adult right away.

Source: NOAA Fisheries

Read more about the beluga whale at Wikipedia.

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