Beluga Whales!
BY MARGAUX MONFARED
Polar regions, (Arctic and Antarctic) cover more than 20% of the Earth’s surface and are home to some of the most extreme and rapidly changing environments. Life can be challenging with bitter cold winds, lasting months of darkness and sub freezing temperatures. A seemingly desolate expanse, the Polar Regions biodiversity has nonetheless evolved to thrive in these extreme climates.
Arctic waters are home to several species of whale, but Belugas, Bowheads and Narwhals inhabit these waters year round. Belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) are one of the smallest species of whale reaching up to 5.5m but are easily recognisable with their icy white colouring and globular heads. Belugas were typically referred to, as the ‘canaries of the sea’, by early mariners because of their rich vocal repertoires and loud clicks that could be heard through the hull of their ships.
Belugas spend half of the year living in darkness and therefore depend on sound for survival. They communicate, navigate, socialise and hunt using a series of clicks, squeaks and whistles known as echolocation. The sounds they emit can be directed using a fatty deposit organ on the forehead called a ‘melon’. When the sound bounces back from their surroundings it forms an image in their brains that allow them to interpret the echoes and thus recognise objects. This allows them to identify sources of prey and helps them to navigate under ice whilst in total darkness. To this day Beluga whales use of echolocation is far superior and precise than that of any man made sonar system.
Sociable, intelligent and friendly creatures, their interactions and characteristics are similar to humans. Belugas exhibit gregarious behaviour spending time in groups much like a community in human society. They devote time to close relatives, individual belugas outside of their kinship and even make friends with other species of animal! Moreover they display personalities, preferences and needs through their complex behaviours.
As Belugas rely on arctic waters and sound for their survival their fate is uncertain. Underwater noise pollution including vessel traffic and industrial noise disrupts their ability to communicate and echolocate this in turn affecting their usual behaviours. This can even cause harm to their hearing if loud enough. In addition, the uncontrollable rate at which climate change is altering their habitat is cause for concern. Melting polar ice caps makes previously inaccessible regions more available for vessel traffic. These changing temperatures will likely modify the populations of their prey too. It is imperative we continue our fight against climate change to prevent incredible creatures like the Beluga whale from disappearing.
If you wish to find out more about the Beluga Whale, Dr Valeria Vergara is at the forefront of research. You can find out more about her amazing work and journey here.
