Medium-sized Whales Without a Dorsal Fin
BELUGA (T)
Delphinapterus leucas (Pallas 1776)
Other Common Names
White porpoise, white whale, belukha, sea canary, marsouin blanc (Quebec).
Description
Belugas reach a maximum overall length of about 16 feet (4.9 m). Males are slightly larger than females. In the western North Atlantic they have been found to grow to greatest lengths in oceanic environments near the southern extremities of their ranges, though they are found in far greater abundance in estuarine areas of the Arctic. Belugas have extremely robust bodies tapering to a distinct "neck" region and a very small head relative to body size.