AnimalID

Name

5413

Beluga Whale

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Origin:

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IsClimber:

IsJumper:

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

Description:

The white whale is known by many names. The scientific name of this whale is Delphinapterus leucas, but it is often called beluga (Russian for "white one"). The beluga whale is also referred to as the "white porpoise," "sea canary," or "squid hound."

The beluga is an Odontoceti, or toothed whale, related most closely to the narwhal. Although adult belugas display the characteristic white coloring, calves are born with blue-gray to brownish red skin. These whales are the only ones that have a flexible neck, allowing them to nod and turn their heads separately from their bodies. Belugas can grow up to fifteen-feet long and may weigh up to 3,300 pounds. They are known by their tiny eyes, rounded melon, and small beak. The beluga does not have a dorsal fin, but instead has a ridge along the spine. Short broad flippers are used for propulsion. A muscular flap covers the single blowhole on top of the head. The flap is closed when the animals is relaxed and opened to take a breath before one of the belugas three- to 15-minute dives.

The beluga is carnivorous. Preferred foods include fish, squid, crustaceans, octopi, and worms. Its teeth are used only for hunting and holding prey--food is swallowed whole. Beluga whales need to eat as much as fifty pounds of food each day, so hunting is important. Using echolocation, white whales track schools of fish, sometimes herding them cooperatively to ensure a meal for the entire pod. Hunter can turn hunted, however, when a large carnivore is in the area. Killer whales, polar bears, and even the occasional walrus consider the beluga good eating.

Pods of two to 25 belugas are found throughout the Arctic and sub-Arctic, migrating as the ice cover changes. Although they prefer shallow salt water, they will enter fresh water areas in pursuit of fish and are equally at home in the deeps. During a dive, these whales can descend to 200 feet and travel over a mile underwater. Belugas travel in small groups during the summer but congregate in herds during the winter. These herds can contain upwards of 1,000 animals.Both herds and pods often include family members. Beluga calves learn to eat solid food just after their first birthday, but they continue to travel with their mothers for another year. They reach maturity around eight years of age, and can live up to 25 years or more.

The sense of hearing is very important to the beluga. In addition to the clicks used for echolocation, the white whale makes a range of sounds from squeals to whistles in order to communicate. The beluga can change the pitch of these sounds by altering the shape of its melon--the round part of the head. This allows the beluga to create intricate "songs" that are often loud enough to be heard above water. .

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General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

To build a good animal exhibit you need to ask a few questions: (click them for the answers)

Which tank wall is suitable for this animal?     Remember that all tanks need a tank filter!

How big should the exhibit be and what Depth should the tank be?

What foliage should be used?

What rocks should be used?

What shelter does the animal need?

What toy does the animal like?

Does this animal perform in a show?

No

TankWallName

Purchase Cost

See Through

Height

Strength

Life

Cost Effective

Concrete Edge and Glass

$125

Yes

3

500

13

10.4

Atlantean Tank Wall

$125

Yes

3

500

13

10.4

Solid Concrete

$125

No

3

500

13

10.4

Black Bar and Glass

$130

Yes

3

500

13

10.0

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

Animal Density

Min

Number of Animals/Exhibit

Max

20

3

6

Terrain Name

Value

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Rocks

Foliage

Exhibit Size

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

ID

Value

TreeName

Foliage Effect

Cost/ Square

Cost Effective

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

ID

Value

RockName

Size X

Size Y

Rock

Rock Effect

Purchase Cost

Cost Effective

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

Shelter ID

Shelter Name

Shelter Value

Shelter Effect

Purchase Cost

Capacity

none

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

ToyID

ToyName

ToyValue

PurchaseCost

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

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none

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none

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General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

Compatible Animals

Prey Animals

Mermaid

10

KeeperFoodType:

Fish

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?