belugas

From: Erich Hoyt (EHoyt@compuserve.com)
Date: Wed Dec 03 2003 - 16:10:41 EST

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    i need 2 do a project 4 school on a sea mammal. i chose the beluga whale,
    but i have some questions. what is their average weight? how big are they?
    what do they eat?
                                                          thanks

    REPLY:

    Here are a few basic facts on belugas (also known as white whales)

    The males are 12-18 feet long (3.7-5.5 m)
    The females are 10-13.5 feet long (3-4.1 m)
    at birth, the calves are about 5 feet long (1.5 m+)

    They eat a large variety of fish, various crustaceans and other
    bottom-living invertebrates

    They live only in the Arctic and subarctic waters. In North America, they
    are found in Alaska and across northern Canada, and also there is a
    population of about 300 in the St. Lawrence River, near the Saguenay River
    (around the Quebec town of Tadoussac).

    I encourage you to search the Whale Net site for more information on
    belugas
    (you can just insert the name 'beluga' in the search engine and you'll get
    a
    lot of interesting information).

    Did you know that belugas actually have articulated necks and can turn
    their
    heads and look around behind them? Other whales and dolphins can't do
    that...

    Also, belugas were once called the canaries of the sea, as they are often
    vocalizing....

    Good luck,

    Erich Hoyt

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