Friday, March 23, 2012

Cool Animal Sounds: Beluga Whale

Beluga whales are called "canaries of the sea" for a reason. They make a wide variety of noises, and can even learn to mimic those they hear. This Beluga, named Beethoven, has quite a vocabulary.


There are a number of sources out there that have recordings on Belugas making other noises. This is an Arctic species of whale that is like no other in appearance. Born gray, they turn white as they age. Like most Arctic species, they lack a dorsal fin. This makes it easier for them to swim close to the surface under ice while searching for a place to breathe. They are very unusual among whales in that they have flexible necks, whereas most species have fused neck vertebrae. Their prominent "forehead," which is more properly known as a melon, is filled with fat and helps them make those sounds.

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