Discover these 5 species of whales

Whales play a fundamental role in the balance of marine ecosystems, helping to regulate the food chain and the cycle of nutrients in the ocean. Long hunted for their blubber, which served as fuel for lighting, whales nearly disappeared from the surface of the globe. Although some countries still hunt them in the name of tradition, these giants of the sea are trying to rebuild their populations.

The white whale (beluga)

The belugaor white whaleis a small to medium-sized cetacean known for its bright white skin and ability to emit a wide range of sounds, earning it the nickname “the canary of the seas.” Measuring approximately 4 to 6 meters in length, the beluga whale lives primarily in the cold waters of the Arctic and subarctic region.

Unlike most other whales, the beluga has a very thick layer of blubber to protect itself from freezing temperatures. It feeds on fish, crustaceans and invertebrates. Belugas are highly social animals, living in small groups called “pods” and using vocalizations to communicate, navigate and hunt.

Recognizable by its long pectoral fins and the humps on its back, the humpback whale is famous for her acrobatic behaviors. She can often be seen jumping out of the water and landing with a crash, a behavior called “breaching».

Humpback whales are also known for their complex and melodious songs, which change from year to year and are unique to each group. These songs are primarily produced by males during the mating season and are considered a form of communication and courtship.

The blue whale

It is the largest animal on the planet. With a size of 30 meters and a weight of 130 to 150 tons, the blue whale deserves the top spot on the podium of ocean giants. Still considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the blue whale is sometimes observed in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, but this remains rare.

Although it is not possible to see it near mainland France, it is easily observable near the coast of the island of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, in the North Atlantic.

The Pilot Whale

The pilot whale, also called the black pilot whale because of its globe-shaped head and the black color of its skin, is often confused with dolphins because, like them, it likes to swim in the wake of boats.

Measuring up to 8 metres and weighing 3 tonnes, it is generally visible offshore, in the deep waters of Normandy and Brittany, but also in the Mediterranean Sea, near the Alpes-Maritimes. Gregarious, the pilot whale lives in groups of several dozen individuals.

Also readThese monumental cetaceans sail along the French coast

Cuvier’s whale

Perhaps the most widespread of the whales roaming territorial waters, but also the most difficult to observe. Cuvier’s whale is part of the toothed whale family. Males of the species have two teeth that protrude from their jaws, which earned them the nickname “goose-beaked whales.”

Visible on the high seas in tropical and temperate waters, Cuvier’s whale scours the Mediterranean basin to catch cephalopods and crustaceans, a food it loves.