The World of the Arctic Whales: Belugas, Bowheads, and Narwhals

Combining an engaging and informative text with a superb collection of full-color photographs, The World of the Arctic Whales reveals the amazing story of three unique whales - the snow-white beluga with a permanent smile, the girthy, mostly black bowhead, and the corpse-colored narwhal with the distinctive unicorn tusk. Of all the whales and dolphins in the world, only these three can live their entire lives surrounded by ice. Why do these whales live where no others can? How do they keep warm in subzero water temperatures? How do they navigate and communicate under the ice? In the opening chapters of the book, Stefani Paine tackles these and other questions as she explores the extraordinary natural history of the Arctic whales. We discover how they give birth to their single, fragile young in the frigid water, how their thick layer of blubber serves as insulation and as a travelling food cache, and why the bowhead has no teeth. Paine then describes the whales' role in Arctic history and their relationship with human beings, beginning with the northern native people who hunted them for food, clothing, and other materials, followed by European whalers, government agents, and explorers looking for oil, gas, and minerals. Every human encounter has had a profound effect on the whales. The book ends with a thoughtful exploration of the threats facing the Arctic whales today.