Latin Etymology: Delphinapterus ("dolphin without fin") leucas ("white")
Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) at Gravesend - September 2018
Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 700-1600kg / Length: 3-5.5m
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
Beluga have been one of my favourite mammals since childhood, but, given the fact they are restricted to the Arctic Ocean for the most part, I had assumed that if I ever got to see one, it would be through a planned trip to some cold Northerly place. So it was something of a surprise for one to turn up in the Thames in September 2018, and what's more, stick around for long enough for me to go see it. The pure white colour is the most iconic visual cue, but they have a number of other distinctive adaptations including a very flexible neck for a whale and an absense of a dorsal fin. They are also highly social creatures, so it's somewhat sad that this individual has been separated from it's pod, and as of writing, is still in Thames on it's own - hopefully it finds its way home.
Related Species:
ORDER: Artiodactyla
FAMILY: Monodontidae
GENUS: Delphinapterus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic
- Sighting Locations -
UNITED KINGDOM - A very rare vagrant,
- Single vagrant individual seen in the Thames from Gravesend ,
Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
No comments:
Post a Comment