1. Coloration: Beluga whales are known for their distinctive white color, but they undergo a color change during the summer months. During spring and summer, their skin turns from a grayish-brown to a bright white, which is thought to help them blend in with the Arctic ice and provide camouflage from predators. As the seasons change, their skin gradually darkens again in the fall and winter.
2. Migration: Beluga whales are highly migratory species, and their movements are influenced by seasonal changes in food availability, water temperature, and sea ice conditions. In the summer, beluga whales typically move to coastal areas and river estuaries where they can access abundant food sources such as fish, shrimp, and mollusks. During the winter, they often migrate to deeper, ice-free waters to avoid the harsh Arctic conditions and find open leads in the sea ice for breathing and feeding.
3. Feeding Behavior: Beluga whales adjust their feeding behavior and diet according to seasonal changes in food availability. In the summer, they feed on a variety of fish species, including salmon, cod, and herring, as well as invertebrates like shrimp and crabs. As food resources become scarcer in the winter, beluga whales may switch to feeding on more benthic prey, such as bottom-dwelling fish and invertebrates, and they may also engage in longer foraging dives.
4. Social Behavior: Beluga whales are social animals and form groups called pods. The size and composition of these pods vary throughout the year. In the summer, beluga whales often form large aggregations in coastal areas, sometimes numbering in the hundreds or even thousands, as they gather for feeding, socializing, and mating. During the winter, they may form smaller, more dispersed pods as they move to different areas in search of food and suitable habitats.
5. Reproduction: Beluga whales have a specific reproductive cycle that is influenced by seasonal changes. Mating typically occurs in the spring and early summer when the whales are in coastal waters. Females give birth to a single calf after a gestation period of about 15 months, usually in the late spring or early summer. Calves are born dark gray or brown and gradually develop the characteristic white color as they mature.
These seasonal changes in beluga whales are adaptations that allow them to survive and thrive in their challenging Arctic environment. By adjusting their behavior, physiology, and social dynamics in response to the changing seasons, beluga whales are able to successfully navigate the challenges of their environment and ensure their survival.