Knowledge Tree
Beluga whales
Facts (15)
Sources
A review of climate change impacts on migration patterns of marine ... frontiersin.org Oct 25, 2024 11 facts
referenceK. M. Stafford, S. R. Okkonen, and J. T. Clarke found a correlation between a strong Alaska Coastal Current and the presence of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) near Barrow, Alaska, in a 2013 study published in Marine Ecology Progress Series.
referencePacific Arctic beluga whales have exhibited decadal shifts in their autumn migration timing, which are related to delayed annual sea ice formation, according to a 2017 study by Hauser et al.
referenceWatt et al. (2016) observed a shift in the foraging behavior of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from the Cumberland Sound population, which may reflect a changing Arctic food web.
claimBowhead whales and beluga whales in the western Beaufort Sea aggregate in areas where favorable wind and current conditions concentrate euphausiids and fish.
measurementChukchi Sea beluga whales delayed their fall migration by 2 to over 4 weeks during the 2007–2012 period compared to the 1998–2002 period, a time frame characterized by less sea ice and a later freeze-up, according to Hauser et al. (2017).
referenceLuque and Ferguson (2009) found that ecosystem regime shifts have not affected the growth and survivorship of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in the eastern Beaufort Sea.
claimBeluga whales on the west side of Svalbard, which previously foraged almost exclusively on Arctic cod at tidewater glacier fronts and migrated along coastlines, now spend more time away from shore in fjords and occupy different water masses, likely to feed on small boreal fish species.
claimThe influx of warm Atlantic water and associated boreal prey has altered the coastal distribution of beluga whales on the west side of Svalbard.
claimL. Storrie et al. (2023) tested the 'migration syndrome' in beluga whales to determine if they truly migrate.
claimBeluga whales in the Pacific Arctic did not significantly shift their habitats between 1990 and 2014, despite the loss of sea-ice cover.
claimBeluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) typically undertake cyclical annual migrations between summering grounds and offshore wintering areas, which are often located within drift-ice areas or near ice edges.
How Climate Change is Changing Animal Habits neefusa.org Oct 4, 2023 3 facts
claimUnpredictable ice patterns are pushing beluga whales out of their normal migration routines due to the increased threat of getting trapped in the ice.
claimBeluga whales are forced to dive deeper and for longer durations to find food due to climate change impacts.
claimBeluga whales are being pushed out of their normal migration routines due to unpredictable ice patterns caused by climate change, which increases the threat of getting trapped in the ice.
To the Moon and Back: How Lunar Cycles Shape Earth's Wildlife nathab.com May 28, 2025 1 fact
claimBeluga whales follow high tides into shallow estuaries.