Every year, from the end of June to the middle of August, these white dolphins gather near Solovetsky archipelago in the White Sea. This period of Polar white-nights is a time for belugas for mating, socializing and birth of their young.
Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) is a polar small whale. It is a highly intellectual species with an interesting social behavior. They grow up to 5 meters long, feeding on fish and squid. Looking for food, grown-up males can dive up to a depth of 500 meters, females and kids up to 350 meters. After the birth, calves are brown and while growing older their color becomes lighter. At the age of 4-5 years whales become completely white.
There are several accumulations of belugas in the southern part of the White Sea, totally about 1500 whales. One of them could be observed quite close to the Solovetsky Islands, where the famous medieval monastery is situated.