1. Thick layer of blubber:
Belugas have a thick layer of blubber, a specialized fatty tissue, beneath their skin. This blubber acts as insulation, trapping heat and preventing it from escaping into the cold water.
2. Dense, compact body:
Belugas have a relatively small surface area compared to their body volume, which helps minimize heat loss. Their compact body shape reduces the amount of skin exposed to the cold water.
3. Counter-current heat exchange:
Belugas have a unique circulatory system that helps conserve body heat. Warm blood flowing from the heart to the extremities travels through arteries that lie close to veins carrying cold blood back from the extremities. Heat transfers from the warm arteries to the cold veins, warming the returning blood before it reaches the core. This system helps maintain a core body temperature even in icy waters.
4. Behavioral adaptations:
Belugas engage in certain behaviors to stay warm, such as:
* Huddle together: They gather in groups, which helps them share body heat and reduce surface area exposed to the cold.
* Move to warmer waters: They migrate to warmer waters during the winter months when the water temperatures become too cold.
5. Special skin:
Belugas have a special type of skin with a dense network of blood vessels and fat cells. This skin structure helps regulate their body temperature by controlling blood flow to the surface, allowing them to shed heat when necessary and retain heat when needed.
6. High metabolic rate:
Belugas have a high metabolic rate, which means they generate a lot of internal heat. This helps them maintain a stable body temperature even in cold conditions.
Together, these adaptations allow beluga whales to survive and thrive in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, where water temperatures can be extremely cold.