Baby Belugas

Living in the frigid Arctic and sub-arctic waters of the farthest points of the northen hemisphere, beluga whales are a species of whale known for their blunt, rounded heads, and their lovely song. After reaching maturity (7-9 years after birth), beluga whales are about 15 feet (4.6 meters) long, and weigh about 3,300 pounds (1500 kilograms). However, newborn calves are about 4-5 feet long (1.2-1.5 meters) and weigh about 100-140 pounds (45-64 kilograms), and are born after 14-15 months of gestation. The calves are born near the surface of warm, shallow waters or estuaries (where seas and rivers meet); they swim to the surface, aided by their mothers (the mothers “push” them with their flippers), within 10 seconds for its first breath. Baby beluga calves are almost never born as twins due to their size, and they’re generally blue to brownish-red, as opposed to adults who are white. Their color changes to make them into “white whales” within 6 years of age. Baby belugas are also the first whales to ever have a song written about them, the aptly titled “Baby Beluga”.