Beluga whales have good vision, both, above and below the water, but most likely do not see much color, if any at all.
Beluga whales have good vision, both, above and below the water. Like other odontocetes, they can focus in either air or water, an adaptation made possible by their specially adapted lens and cornea. For belugas, which are sometimes hunted by the polar bear, the ability to see in both air and water is especially important.
Belugas do not possess both rod and cone cells in their eyes. However, like all other cetaceans, they have only one type of cone. Since two or more types of cones are usually necessary to distinguish colors, belugas probably do not see much color if any at all.
Sources:
(AMMPA, 2014, 2017; Balsiger, 2003; Griebel & Peichl, 2003; Mass & Supin, 2002)
Image: Eric Kilby
