Thursday, June 26, 2014

Concerning Belugas: Initial Observations

Beluga Webcam

Disclaimer: If otherwise unspecified in this particular piece the images are screen shots from the aforementioned webcam.

16:40
Large vertical ledges in centre of the aquarium
Two animals are to be seen
Both are swimming with their back towards the ground and their belly towards the sky (upside down)
When turning move body to the side
When swimming in a straight line the first half of the body is kept still while their powerful tails periodically move vertically (slicing through the water)
When swimming with their backs towards the sky the head moves with the motion of the tail
Pectoral fins don't seem to be used

16:44
Both belugas have righted themselves and are swimming with their bodies' slightly out of the water, probably getting oxygen
Dove head first back into the depths of the pool
One is going through a series of curls bending itself into a coil then righting itself again
That same Beluga swam into a small indent in the wall upright, then flipped during the turn then swam upside down again

16:46
One of the belugas is near the surface again





















That same beluga has returned to the depths and has swum at a higher speed while on its side
One of the belugas is swimming upright again and the head seems to be used when in this position to further propel the animal forward

One of the belugas has an 8 shaped indent near the start of its tail (Captain Nemo)

16:51
Captain Nemo swam with body held at a 90 degree angle when swimming around a boulder
Nemo swam upside down then swiftly righted him/herself to break the surface of the water again.
Swimming upside down appears to require less energy as they swim in this method more frequently in this particular environment and they aren't moving their had as they do when swimming with belly down

16:54
One of the belugas righted itself to an upright position and shimmied itself up.

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