1. Size:
- Blue Whale: Blue whales are the largest animals on Earth, reaching lengths of up to 100 feet and weighing up to 200 tons. They have a robust, streamlined body with a dark bluish-gray coloration.
- Beluga Whale: Beluga whales are much smaller compared to blue whales. They typically range from 13 to 20 feet in length and weigh up to 3,500 pounds. Belugas have a distinctive all-white coloration, which gives them the nickname "sea canary" or "white whale."
2. Habitat:
- Blue Whale: Blue whales are found in all the world's oceans except the Arctic. They prefer deep waters and are often found in the open ocean far from the coast.
- Beluga Whale: Beluga whales primarily inhabit the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. They are adapted to cold waters and are found in coastal areas, shallow bays, and estuaries. Some populations of belugas also migrate to the northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans during warmer months.
3. Diet:
- Blue Whale: Blue whales are filter feeders and their diet consists mainly of krill, small crustaceans, and other zooplankton. They can consume up to 8,000 pounds of food per day.
- Beluga Whale: Beluga whales have a more varied diet compared to blue whales. They feed on fish, squid, shrimp, and other marine invertebrates. They are also known to hunt for seals, walruses, and even other smaller whale species.
4. Social Behavior:
- Blue Whale: Blue whales are generally solitary creatures and are rarely seen in large groups. They may form loose aggregations during feeding or migration but do not have complex social structures.
- Beluga Whale: Beluga whales are highly social and live in pods or groups that can range from a few individuals to several hundred. They engage in various social behaviors such as cooperative hunting, calf-rearing, and vocal communication.
5. Vocalizations:
- Blue Whale: Blue whales are known for producing low-frequency sounds that can travel thousands of kilometers across the ocean. Their vocalizations are used for long-range communication and can serve various purposes, including attracting mates, maintaining contact with other whales, and possibly conveying information about danger or predators.
- Beluga Whale: Beluga whales are also known for their diverse vocalizations, which include clicks, whistles, and chirps. They are highly communicative and use these sounds to interact with each other, coordinate hunting and feeding activities, and maintain social bonds.
In summary, while both blue whales and beluga whales belong to the order Cetacea, they differ significantly in size, habitat, diet, social behavior, and vocalizations. Blue whales are the largest whales and inhabit deep ocean waters, primarily feeding on krill. Beluga whales are smaller, social Arctic and sub-Arctic whales with a varied diet and unique vocal communication.