A beluga is a type of whale that lives in cold Arctic and sub-Arctic waters. Belugas are famous for being completely white when fully grown, earning them the nickname “white whales.” They're relatively small for whales, about the size of a minivan, and have rounded foreheads that make them look almost cartoonish.

Unlike most whales, belugas can turn their heads from side to side because their neck vertebrae aren't fused together. They're also incredibly vocal, making so many chirps, clicks, and whistles that sailors once called them “sea canaries.” Belugas use these sounds to communicate with each other and to navigate through dark, murky waters using echolocation, similar to how bats find their way in the dark.

The word beluga also refers to a type of large sturgeon fish found in the Caspian and Black Seas, prized for its valuable caviar. This fish can grow enormous, sometimes over 20 feet long and weighing more than a car. Despite sharing the same name, the beluga whale and beluga sturgeon are completely unrelated: one is a mammal that breathes air, and the other is a fish with gills.