Beluga+Whale

__**Common Name:**__ Beluga Whale, White Whale, Sea Canary

__**Phyla:**__ Chordata

__**Class:**__ Mammalia

__**Scientific Name:**__ //Delphinapterus leucas//

__**Size:**__ //-Length// Male: 11-15 feet Female: 10-13 feet
 * __Location:__** Artic Ocean and sub-Artic seas.

//-Weight// Male: 3,300 pounds Female: 3,000 pounds

__**Habitat:**__ Inhabit shallow coastal waters of the icy Arctic Ocean and its adjoining seas, but during the summer many populations may also congregate in warmer freshwater estuaries and river basins.

__**Life Cycle:**__ Can live up to 40 years but can only have a baby every 3 years. Calves are born between May and July. When a beluga is born the tail comes out first. After the calf is totally out of its mothers stomach it is guided to the surface closely by both mother and father. The mother feeds their baby for only 2 years.

__**Male and Female Differences:**__ Male Belugas tend to be larger then females.


 * __Threatened Species:__** IUNC listed Belugas threatened in 2008. Oil exploration, hydroelectric plants, and shipping accidents are 3 reasons for putting them on threatened list, however the number 1 reason is that they are prone to chemical contamination. The main organization that protects the belugas is Cook Inletkeeper. Also NOAA. The U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 made it illegal to hunt or harass marine mammals in the U.S.


 * __Human Impact:__** In the White Sea, humans hunt and harvest beluga whales.

__**Facts:**__
 * Unlike most other whales, Belugas can swim both forward and backward.
 * Beluga whales are extremely vocal. Scientists and sailors gave Beluga Whales the nickname "sea canaries," due to the birdlike sounds these whales make that can be heard above water from miles away.


 * Zookeeper: Kenzie Davidson**

__**References:**__ [|http://www.seaworld.org] [|http://www.enchantedlearning.com] []