Mentally we’re here right now. Belugas are highly social animals, known as the “canaries of the sea” for their high-pitched clicks, chirps, and whistles used to communicate. In summer, they can gather in the thousands, following melting sea ice into warmer lagoons and estuaries across the Arctic. Sometimes they even head inland—one was found 1000 km up the Yukon River in Alaska once! Here, they feed, give birth, and moult. Over winter, belugas build up a thick yellowish outer layer of skin, which they shed in summer to keep their skin healthy and get rid of any bacteria that might have built up. They rub against gravel in these shallow areas to help with the process. The warmth and lower salinity in these waters also boost blood flow to the deeper skin layers (called the germinal layer), helping new skin cells grow faster. Talk about a spa day! Video by paulnicklen #OceanSchool #BelugaWhale #Arctic #Explore