There are many theories surrounding the question of why are beluga whales white. One of the most widely accepted theories is that the white coloring is an evolutionary trait. While the exact reasons are not known, scientists have pointed out several interesting points regarding the origins of the white coat. Here are some of the theories on why are beluga whales white.
Beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) are white in coloration for several reasons, which are believed to be adaptations to their environment and way of life:
- Camouflage: Beluga whales primarily inhabit Arctic and sub-Arctic regions where their natural environment consists of icy waters and snow-covered landscapes. Their white coloration helps them blend in with the surroundings, making it difficult for predators and prey to spot them.
- Thermoregulation: The white color of beluga whales’ skin helps reflect sunlight, reducing the amount of heat absorbed by their bodies. This is important in their cold habitat as it helps prevent overheating. Additionally, the blubber layer beneath their skin provides insulation against the cold water temperatures.
- Communication: Beluga whales are known for their vocalizations, which play a crucial role in their social interactions and navigation. Their white coloration might enhance their visibility to other members of their pod, making it easier to maintain contact in the vast and sometimes murky Arctic waters.
- Social Signaling: The white coloration could serve as a form of social signaling within the pod. Changes in skin color, including flushing or blushing, are visible indications of the whales’ emotional states and can convey information to other members of the group.
- Evolutionary Adaptation: Over time, beluga whales’ white coloration likely evolved as an advantageous trait in their Arctic habitat. Individuals with lighter skin coloration would have had a survival advantage, as they would have been better suited to evade predators and navigate the challenging conditions of their environment.
It’s important to note that beluga whales are not completely white throughout their lives. They are born a light gray or brown color and gradually lighten as they mature. This shift in coloration is likely linked to their changing needs as they grow and adapt to their environment.
Beluga whales are among one of the largest subspecies in the earth. They are extremely large, growing to lengths of over twelve metres and can weigh up to 400 pounds. Because their bodies are so huge, they spend most of their time hunting fish. Since the water they live in is cold, the fish they hunt tend to stay relatively warm and this is what helps them to keep their coats white.
Another point of origin for the white-tipped beluga whales lies in the narwhal. Narwhals, also known as’sea cows’ are among the few species in the world that do not possess any dorsal fin. This has led scientists to believe that narwhals may have once been large fish, but lost their tails through evolution. Through a process called tail flipper development, narwhals have developed small flippers on their backs. These flippers look similar to the white whale’s flippers, but are much smaller. Over time, the narwalal evolved into the beluga.
When people talk about why are beluga whales white, they are usually referring to the bright colours of their fur. The reason for this is because the most natural habitat for these animals is the warm, open waters of the Arctic Ocean. In the winter when the waters are frozen over, the polar bears (which are also referred to as Ursus Maritimus) can take advantage of these clear waters to hunt arctic seals. The warm, fresh water of Baffin Bay and the Labrador and Hiver Rivers are also great places for the bears to hunt because the waters here are usually clear enough for seals to hunt while swimming.
It is also possible to confuse white whales with narwhals because they both hunt prey using a swimming method which is similar to leaping and throwing their tongues. Unlike the beluga whales which travel in pairs, narwhals travel in pods. Pods can contain up to nine whales and are usually found in the colder Northern regions of Canada, Alaska and New Greenland. They feed by sucking the oxygen from the fresh water currents around them.
Although most people know that the name beluga whales comes from the coat color, it is not fully understood what the white markings on these animals actually mean. Some people believe that they are a species of dolphin. However, there is no solid evidence that the white coat is a dolphin or a narwhal – only speculation.
