🌿Native Nature

Beluga

Delphinapterus leucas

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia ›Phylum: Chordata ›Class: Mammalia ›Order: Artiodactyla ›Family: Monodontidae ›Genus: Delphinapterus

About

The beluga whale (/bɪˈluːɡə/) or white whale (Delphinapterus leucas) is an Arctic and sub-Arctic cetacean. It is 1 of 2 members of the family Monodontidae, along with the narwhal, and the only member of the genus Delphinapterus. This marine mammal is commonly referred to as the beluga or sea canary due to its high-pitched twitter. It is some times also called a melonhead, though that more commonly refers to the melon-headed whale, which is an oceanic

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name of Beluga?
The scientific name of Beluga is Delphinapterus leucas.
What is the conservation status of Beluga?
The Beluga has a conservation status of Least Concern.
What kingdom does Beluga belong to?
Beluga belongs to the kingdom Animalia.
What phylum does Beluga belong to?
Beluga belongs to the phylum Chordata.
What class does Beluga belong to?
Beluga belongs to the class Mammalia.
What order does Beluga belong to?
Beluga belongs to the order Artiodactyla.
What family does Beluga belong to?
Beluga belongs to the family Monodontidae.
What genus does Beluga belong to?
Beluga belongs to the genus Delphinapterus.

In the News

Canadian government endorses a plan to move whales from shuttered Marineland park to US and Spain

TORONTO (AP) — Canada’s government endorsed a plan Wednesday to move the last remaining captive whales from a shuttered theme park in Ontario to aquariums in the United States and Spain — a plan that could save them from mass euthanasia if the deal goes through. There are 30 belugas and four dolphins left in the Marineland park […]

Mongabay · 6/4/2026

Beluga whales keep switching mates and it may be saving their species

Hidden beneath Arctic waters, beluga whales have long kept their family lives a mystery. By analyzing DNA from more than 600 belugas in Alaska’s Bristol Bay over 13 years, researchers uncovered a surprisingly flexible mating system: both males and females regularly have offspring with different partners over their lifetimes.

ScienceDaily Plants & Animals · 6/4/2026