Size & Appearance

Adult Belugas most closely resemble a chubby white dolphin. Born a muddy brownish colour, belugas lighten as they grow, usually becoming completely white by the time they reach six or seven years of age. Like all arctic whales, belugas have no dorsal fin. Scientists believe that this adaptation minimizes the surface area of the beluga, making it easier to stay warm in cold arctic waters.

Male belugas average between 3.4 metres to 4.6 metres in length and weigh about 1,500 kilograms when full grown. Females are slightly smaller. Remarkably, forty percent of belugas body weight is blubber. In order to maintain this weight, belugas must consume as much as twenty-five kilograms (55 lbs) of food a day. It is not surprising that belugas are voracious and indiscriminate eaters.