Beluga whales change the shape of their melon by blowing air around its sinuses.Ĭhanging the shape of their melon is what makes Beluga whales masters of this bio-sonar system 10 (source: C.W. Delphine, Marine Mammals of Eastern North Pacific and Arctic Waters 2 ed, 1986). Changing the shape allows them to focus and direct noises through the water 9 (source: H. The melon of a beluga whale is more flexible than other species 8 (source: Seaworld).īelugas change the shape of their melon to assist echolocation. Not all whales can change the shape of their melon. Their melon is at the front of their head. Delphine, Marine Mammals of Eastern North Pacific and Arctic Waters 2 ed, 1986).Ĭan Beluga Whales Change the Shape of Their Head?īeluga whales can change the shape of their melon. Their squishy melon is located above the rostrum (beak) and in front of the blowhole 7 (source: H. Würsig, et al., Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, 2017). The beluga whale is known for having a particularly malleable and squishy melon 6 (source: B.G. This makes their melon flexible and squishy. Their melon contains fatty tissue (also known as lipids), wax, and oil 5 (source: H. Beluga whales are famous for creating a variety of noises.īeluga whales, and other toothed whales, use echoes from high-frequency sound pulses to navigate and locate prey, and use low-frequency sound to communicate with other individuals over long distances 4 (source: National Research Council (US) Committee on Low-Frequency Sound and Marine Mammals, 1994).īeluga whale heads appear to be squishy because of what their melon contains. This is done by creating sounds and monitoring the echoes created. Delphine, Marine Mammals of Eastern North Pacific and Arctic Waters 2 ed, 1986).Įcholocation is used by whales (and other mammals) to find and identify objects. This is particularly important for echolocation purposes 3 (source: H. The melon can change the frequency of noises that whales generate. What Do Beluga Whales Use Their ‘Melon’ For?īeluga whales use their melon when communicating, feeding, and traveling. All toothed whales have melons, but not all are squishy. Their brain is encased in a skull and is located further inside the body 2 (source: Wikipedia). Their melon is an organ at the forefront of the Beluga whale’s head. Their beak (also known as their rostrum) is notably short but distinct 1 (source: Seaworld). The head of a beluga whale looks bigger than others because their melon overhangs over their beak. Other toothed whales have melons, but Beluga whales are a little different. The structure of the beluga whale’s head makes it appear particularly large.
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