ARCTIC BELUGAS
The White Whales of the Arctic
Beluga Whale in Svalbard: Meet the Extraordinary “Canaries of the Sea”
Key Information about Belugas (Quick View / TL;DR):
Species: Beluga whale (white whale), belonging to the Monodontidae family.
Size & Lifespan: 3 to 5.5 meters in length, weighing 500 to 1,600 kg. They typically live 40–60 years.
Appearance: Adults are completely white, while calves are dark grey or brownish. They lack a dorsal fin and have a highly flexible neck.
Diet: Arctic cod, capelin, herring, halibut, cephalopods, and crustaceans. They can dive deeper than 700 meters.
Communication: Known as the “canaries of the sea” due to their rich vocal repertoire (whistles, clicks, squeaks, and chirps).
What is a Beluga Whale and What Does It Look Like?
The beluga whale, often referred to simply as the white whale, is one of the marine mammals best adapted to surviving in extreme Arctic conditions. Belonging to the Monodontidae family, it inhabits exclusively the cold waters of the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions—from the coasts of Alaska, Canada, and Greenland to Svalbard and the Russian Arctic.
The most distinctive feature of this species is its coloration. However, only adult individuals achieve that pure, snowy white color, usually between 5 and 8 years of age. Calves are born dark grey or brownish.
Evolution has equipped belugas with two extraordinary physical traits:
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No dorsal fin: Unlike most whales, belugas do not have a fin on their back. This allows them to swim freely just beneath thick sea ice without risk of injury and significantly reduces the body surface area through which they could lose precious body heat in the freezing water.
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Flexible neck: They possess unfused neck vertebrae, which is an absolute rarity among whales. This anatomical quirk allows them to turn their heads from side to side, aiding in navigation and hunting in tight ice cracks.
Arctic Diet and Incredible Diving Abilities
Belugas are efficient hunters. Their diet relies on the abundance of Arctic waters—they mostly prey on Arctic cod, capelin, herring, and halibut, supplementing their meals with cephalopods and crustaceans.
Foraging requires excellent diving skills. While most of their underwater hunting occurs at depths up to about 300 meters, they can dive deeper than 700 meters when pursuing prey. A single dive usually lasts between 10 and 20 minutes, though in exceptional circumstances, they can hold their breath for over 25 minutes.
“Canaries of the Sea” – Masters of Communication
Belugas are highly social animals. They typically form groups ranging from a few to several dozen individuals. However, during seasonal migrations—when they move between the open sea, fjords, and estuaries following sea ice and food availability—they can gather in massive pods numbering hundreds or even thousands.
Their hallmark is their extraordinary vocalization. They are among the most “talkative” whales in the world. Underwater, they emit dozens of different sounds: clicks, whistles, squeaks, and noises resembling bird chirps. Because of this, sailors and scientists have dubbed them the “canaries of the sea.” These sounds play a crucial role, serving both for advanced echolocation (navigating and tracking prey) and maintaining tight social bonds within the pod.
Encounters with Belugas Whale in Svalbard Waters
For participants of Svalbard expeditions, encountering a large pod of belugas is one of the most moving experiences. These animals are incredibly intelligent, curious, and agile. They often approach boats and yachts on their own initiative, accompanying them for extended periods.
In the Svalbard archipelago, we spot them most frequently:
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In the waters of Isfjorden (the largest fjord in Spitsbergen).
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In deep fjords along the western and northern coasts.
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Near the fronts of massive glaciers, where nutrient-rich upwellings attract schools of fish, creating perfect feeding grounds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Beluga Whales
Why don’t beluga whales have a dorsal fin?
The lack of a dorsal fin is an evolutionary adaptation to Arctic life. It allows belugas to swim safely right under the surface of the ice without scratching or injuring themselves, and it minimizes the surface area prone to heat loss.
Where does the name “canaries of the sea” come from?
Belugas earned this nickname due to their incredibly rich vocalizations. Underwater, they produce a wide spectrum of high-pitched sounds—whistles, squeaks, and chirps—which can often be heard even above the water’s surface.
Are baby belugas born white?
No. Although the name “white whale” suggests otherwise, calves are born dark grey or light brown. They slowly transition to their characteristic snow-white color, achieving it fully only between the ages of 5 and 8.
