Belugas are one of the most fascinating whale species, and one thing that separates them from other members of this animal family is their distinctive color. Some people even refer to them as white whales, but are they actually born white and do they always stay that way?
Both scientific and common name of beluga whales features references to their color. The name of their genus, Delphinapterus leucas, can loosely be translated as “a white dolphin without fin” because leucas hails from the Greek word “leukas” for white. As for their common name beluga, it comes from the Russian word “bielo” meaning white.
Mixing adult belugas with any other species is practically impossible due to their white color, but they’re not actually born this way. Calves are usually born grey or even brown, and they lose their pigmentation as the years go by, attaining their signature white color at approximately seven years of age in females and nine in males. They shed their skin seasonally, and their back and fins can turn yellowish in the winter, but they remain white otherwise.
Belugas developed their signature color after years of adaptation to their Arctic life. White skin allows them to blend together with polar ice caps, camouflaging themselves from predators, such as polar bears and killer whales.
