For Movement and Navigation:
* Flippers: Their powerful flippers propel them through the water, allowing them to maneuver and chase prey.
* Flukes: These powerful tail fins provide the main thrust for swimming, enabling them to move quickly and efficiently.
* Dorsal Fin: This small, rounded fin helps with stability and balance, especially when turning.
* Echolocation: Beluga whales use echolocation, emitting clicks and whistles that bounce off objects and return to their melon (a fatty organ on their forehead), providing them with a detailed "picture" of their surroundings.
For Feeding:
* Teeth: Beluga whales have around 40 teeth, which they use to grasp and crush their prey.
* Mouth: Their large, flexible mouths allow them to open wide and catch fish and other marine animals.
For Breathing:
* Blowhole: Situated on the top of their head, this opening allows them to breathe air.
* Lungs: Their powerful lungs enable them to hold their breath for a long time.
For Sensory Perception:
* Melon: This organ in their forehead plays a crucial role in echolocation.
* Eyes: Though their vision isn't their strongest sense, they can see well in murky water.
* Whiskers: Beluga whales have sensitive whiskers around their mouth, which help them feel and locate prey.
Other Important Body Parts:
* Blubber: A thick layer of blubber insulates them against cold water and helps them regulate their body temperature.
* Skin: Their skin is smooth and streamlined, reducing water resistance and allowing them to swim efficiently.
* Muscles: Powerful muscles throughout their body enable them to move, hunt, and communicate.
It's important to remember that every body part plays a vital role in the beluga whale's survival. The intricate combination of these features allows them to thrive in their challenging environment.