hotos by A. S. Clark (top) and courtesy of D. K. Caldwell
(bottom)._)]

[Illustration: Figure 105.--Grampus, particularly younger animals, have
two regions of grayish-white on the ventral surface, one in front of the
flippers and another beginning on the belly narrowing towards the tail.
These markings closely resemble the ventral marking of pilot whales.
(_Photos courtesy of Marineland of Florida._)]

[Illustration: Figure 106.--Stranded grampus can be readily identified.
On this captive animal note the blunted head, the distinct crease on the
front of the head (see also Fig. 107), and the extensive scarring of the
body. (_Photo courtesy of D. K. Caldwell._)]

[Illustration: Figure 107.--Grampus have seven or fewer teeth in each
side of the lower jaw. (None in the upper jaw.) Many of these teeth may
have fallen out of older specimens, and the remaining teeth may be
extensively worn. (_Photo courtesy of Marineland of Florida._)]

Medium-sized Whales Without a Dorsal Fin

BELUGA (T)

_Delphinapterus leucas_ (Pallas 1776)

Other Common Names

White porpoise, white whale, belukha, sea canary, marsouin blanc
(Quebec).

Description

Belugas reach a maximum overall length of about 16 feet (4.9 m). Males
are slightly larger than females. In the western North Atlantic they
have been found to grow to greatest lengths in oceanic environments near
the southern extremities of their ranges, though they are found in far
greater abundance in estuarine areas of the Arctic. Belugas have
extremely robust bodies tapering to a distinct "neck" region and a very
small head relative to body size.

They do not have a dorsal fin. Instead, along the back just behind the
midpoint there is a narrow ridge notched laterally to form a series of
small bumps. These ridges may be clearly visible on a swimming animal.

Newborn belugas are brown. As they age, they gradually lighten through
slate gray, and by their sixth or seventh year have assumed the
all-white coloration characteristic of adult animals.

Natural History Notes

Belugas feed on a variety of fishes (including cod and capelin), on
squid, and on a variety of benthic crustaceans.

They are frequently found in shallow bays and river mouths, where the
young are born, and occasionally ascend rivers.

May Be Confused With

Because of their limited distribution, all-white coloration and lack of
a dorsal fin, belugas are unlikely to be confused with any oth