The Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) is a medium-sized Arctic cetacean. It is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon and Zoo Tycoon 2.
Description[]
The Beluga, also known as the White Whale due to its colouration, is one of two members of the family Monodontidae, along with the narwhal, and the only member of the genus Delphinapterus. This marine mammal is commonly referred to as the Sea Canary due to its high-pitched twitter.
Beluga whales live in the Arctic Ocean, around North America, Russia, and Greenland. The beluga is a Least Concern animal at around a population of 200,000. Males are larger, weighing 1,100-1,600kg (2,430-3,530lb) while females weigh between 700 and 1,200kg (1,540-2,650lb). Males range from 3.5-5.5m (11-18ft) long, while females are slightly shorter, being 3-4.1m (9.8-13.5ft) long. Beluga whales can dive 700m (2,300ft) below surface, however they usually only dive about 20m (66 ft) below the surface and can hold their breath for 20 minutes. Whale hunting has been regulated since 1973, though Native Inuit people still occasionally hunt belugas as a food source to this day.
Belugas are adapted to Arctic environments, they have no dorsal fins and adults are completely white in colour. The head of the animal has an organ called a melon, which is an echolocation organ. A large percentage of the animal's body is blubber, which helps keep them warm in frigid temperatures. Belugas normally live in pods of up to 10 individuals, however once a year, in the summer, they will gather in hundreds or even thousands in estuaries and shallow coastal areas. The reason for these mass gatherings is currently not well understood.
Zoo Tycoon[]
The Beluga is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon and was added as part of the Marine Mania expansion pack. In Freeform mode, it is not adoptable until September 1.
Like all Marine Mania animals, the beluga is an Aquatic animal and lives in salt water tanks. Belugas are social, requiring a minimum of three animals in a tank. Unusually, belugas can be happy in an extremely shallow tank, only needing a minimum tank depth of 2 units. Their favourite foliage is Kelp and they require a medium amount of rocks to be happy, getting more suitability from small rocks that are clustered into one tile.
Zoo Tycoon 2[]
The Beluga is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon 2 and was added as part of the Marine Mania expansion pack. In Campaign and Challenge Mode, it is available to adopt from the start, as a half-star animal. It is the first available of eight animals that can perform in shows.
Belugas are a tundra biome animal, and can tolerate the coastal biome as well as the pelagic biome to a lesser extent. They feed on a variety of foods, including fish, shellfish and squid. They will also eat Arctic Cod and Yellowfin Tuna if placed in their tank. The beluga will play with the pursuit ball and use the clam bubbler for enrichment and use the kelp bed as a shelter.
The beluga can also use the treasure chest, pirate mast and shipwreck scenery objects if placed in their tank.
 zootycoon.com Description
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| The name beluga is derived from the Russian byeluka, meaning “white.” Born gray in color, belugas turn white by five years of age and are also called the white whale. Belugas inhabit the waters of the Arctic and sub-Artic. Their bodies have many layers of blubber that protect them from the intense cold. Belugas whales eat a lot, including fish, squid, octopus, and crustaceans. They are extremely sociable animals that congregate in pods. When journeying to summer feeding and breeding grounds, beluga pods team up and travel in schools of several thousand. Beluga whales chirp and chatter amongst themselves so much that they are nicknamed the sea canary. |
Tricks[]
Unlike Zoo Tycoon, the beluga in Zoo Tycoon 2 can learn and preform tricks. There are seven tricks of which the beluga can learn.
| Icon | Trick Name | Trick Level | Trick Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
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Jump in Trick Area | 1 | 2 Stars |
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Flipper Splash in Trick Area | 2 | 2 Stars |
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Tail Splash in Trick Area | 3 | 3 1/2 Stars |
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Squirt in Trick Area | 1 | 3 Stars |
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Spyhop in Trick Area | 2 | 3 Stars |
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Swipe Ball | 1 | 2 1/2 Stars |
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Ram Ball | 2 | 3 1/2 Stars |
Gallery[]
Zoo Tycoon[]
Zoo Tycoon 2[]
Trivia[]
- Belugas use the least amount of show props in Zoo Tycoon 2, with only the trick area and ball at their disposal.
- Unused animations and sounds in the files for the Beluga in Marine Mania suggests that marine animals were possibly once able to breach their tanks and ground themselves on land, presumably if they were unhappy enough.