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BELUGA/WHITE WHALE

WEIGHT

1-2 TONS

 LENGTH

3-6 m

life span

25-30 years

  • The beluga is an average-sized toothed whale which belongs to the Monodontidae family, and its closest living relative, also belonging to the same family, is the narwhal. The beluga’s most striking characteristic is the adult’s white colouration. The name beluga is derived from the Russian word “beloye”, meaning “white”. The beluga is an Arctic and sub-Arctic species and is closely associated with the ice sheet. However, they occasionally wander, venturing southwards out of their distribution range and are sometimes spotted in Icelandic waters.

MJALDUR

ÞYNGD

1-2 TONN

LENGD

3-6 m

lÍFALDUR

25-30 ÁR

  • The patterns on the fluke
    is unique for each animal.
    The patterns on the fluke
    is unique for each animal.
    The patterns on the fluke
    is unique for each animal.
    The patterns on the fluke
    is unique for each animal.

  • Mjaldur er meðalstór tannhvalur sem tilheyrir ættinni Monodontidae, en hans nánasti núlifandi ættingi, sem tilheyrir sömu ætt, er náhvalurinn. Það sem einkennir mjaldurinn helst er hvítur litur fullorðinna dýra. Enska heitið „beluga“ er dregið af rússneska orðinu „beloye“ sem þýðir „hvítur“. Mjaldurinn lifir á og við norðurheimskautssvæðið þar sem hafís liggur á sjónum. Þeir hætta sér þó stundum suður fyrir útbreiðslusvæði sitt og sjást því af og til í hafinu kringum Ísland.

  • Belugas are also known as “sea canaries”
    because of their songs and chatter, which
    can even be heard above the water.
    Belugas are also known as “sea canaries”
    because of their songs and chatter, which
    can even be heard above the water.Belugas are also known as “sea canaries”
    because of their songs and chatter, which
    can even be heard above the water.Belugas are also known as “sea canaries”
    because of their songs and chatter, which
    can even be heard above the water.

BELUGA/WEISSWAL

GEWICHT

1-2 TONnen

LÄNGE

3-6 m

LEBENSDAUER

25-30 JAHRE

  • Beluga Der Beluga ist ein mittelgroßer Zahnwal und gehört zur Familie Monodontidae oder Gründelwale. Sein engster lebender Verwandter aus derselben Familie ist der Narwal. Besonders auffallend ist die weiße Haut der erwachsenen Tiere. So kommt auch der Name „Beluga“ vom russischen Wort „beloye“ für „weiß“. Der Beluga lebt in arktischen und subarktischen Gewässern und hält sich meist in der Nähe der Packeisgrenze auf. Gelegentlich wandert er jedoch nach Süden und kann deshalb auch in den Gewässern um Island gefunden werden.