Now on ScienceBlogs: Oxytocin: Starting with the basics
Don't Stick Your Fingers in the Cage
Hairless Racoon
In the wild, Andrew feeds on fish, sponges, small crustaceans, nematode worms and protozoans.
Benny's diet is very specialized, consisting mainly of the interior of Ramy nuts, nectar from the Traveller's Palm tree, some fungi and insect grubs. He is also known to raid coconut plantations, and has been seen eating lychees and mangoes, which are also plantation crops.
« Songs of Insects Jukebox | Main | Categorize this Delicious! »
Category: whale
Posted on: August 24, 2007 12:14 PM, by ableiman
The alphabetically superior member of the Bleiman brother duo, Andrew (me), lives in Chicago, where he is lucky enough to have a truly world-class institution in the Shedd Aquarium. On Thursday last week, the Shedd's resident female beluga whale, Mauyak, gave birth to a plump 100lb. 5.5 ft calf. Shortly after the birth, the calf swam to the surface and took its first breath.
Enjoy these videos of the birth and baby beluga swimming in the great blue fish tank.
Share this: Facebook Twitter Stumbleupon Reddit Email + More
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://scienceblogs.com/mt/pings/48889
Comments
Simply amazing. I had the privilege of seeing the Belugas at the Georgia Aquarium a few weeks ago. One in particular -- a male named Nico -- went out of his way to keep us entertained. Such beautiful beasts. Thanks for the videos!
Posted by: Dennis | August 24, 2007 1:32 PM
It is amazing to watch aquatic mammals give birth. The mother seemed very calm.
With the belugas so white and the water so dark, they almost look CG. Is that the curse of advanced technology - reality seems fake?
Posted by: Laughing Stone | August 24, 2007 2:18 PM
Thank you for posting this! Beautiful video!
Posted by: kristen in montreal | August 24, 2007 7:01 PM
So beautiful! At the Vancouver Aquarium a few years ago I believe a beluga was born but died shortly after- I hope this one makes it.
Posted by: Homie Bear | August 25, 2007 4:33 PM
Wow. Amazing video. Thanks.
HB: Quite a few years ago -- 12 or so -- a baby beluga was born at Vancouver. I saw it when it was several months old. Hope that is not the one you mean.
Andrew: In Chicago you've also got a world class ape facility at the Lincoln Park Zoo.
Posted by: Gerry L | August 26, 2007 1:30 AM
Gerry - I'm a member of the LPZ Auxiliary Board and spend a lot of time in the Regenstein Center. It's a great small zoo all around and one of the few free ones in the country.
Posted by: Andrew Bleiman | August 26, 2007 2:50 AM
This animals are sooo poor!
why can?t they be free?
@Dennis: How can you call them beast?!?!
Posted by: Carry | May 8, 2008 4:34 AM
It's hard to imagine there's corporations still harpooning these magnificent creatures for profit
Posted by: Neil | June 12, 2008 6:18 PM
We have a 3-week-old baby beluga in Vancouver Aquarium now. She is very cute. However, since her mom, Oila, is a firt-time mother and there's a possibility that up to 50 percent or more of first-time mothered calves don't survive,the Auarium staff are keeping a close watch on her.
Posted by: Rae | June 27, 2008 12:54 PM
omg that is sooo cute im doing a progect on belugas and that iss sooooooo adorabel and i hope that babby grew up to be a wonderful littel one
Posted by: lilly gardner | December 9, 2008 11:05 PM