A. Food preferences and resources.
Beluga whales are opportunistic feeders. They are known to prey on about 100 different kinds of primarily bottom-dwelling animals. They eat octopus; squid; crabs; shrimp; clams; snails; sandworms; and fishes such as capelin, cod, herring, smelt, and flounder (Perez, 1990; Haley, 1978).
B. Food intake.
In zoological habitats belugas eat approximately 2.5% to 3% of their body weight per day, about 18.2 to 27.2 kg (40-60 lb.)
C.
1. Belugas forage at or near the bottom of shallow water (Katona, Rough, and Richardson, 1983).
2. A beluga whale's flexible neck allows a wide range of motion while foraging the ocean floor. Observations suggest that belugas can produce suction and a strong jet of water with their mouths (MacDonald, 1993) which may dislodge prey from the bottom.
3. Beluga whales also hunt schooling fishes. In groups of five or more, belugas herd fish into shallow water before attacking (MacDonald, 1993).
4. Beluga whales don't chew their food; they swallow it whole.
5. Researchers have found debris such as tree bark, plants, sand, stones, and paper in the stomachs of beluga whales (Haley, 1978).
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