Senses
Hearing
Their auditory cortex is highly developed. They seem to be able to hear from approximately 1.2 to 120 kHz where and average human hears between .02 and 20 kHz.
Beluga whales have small external ear openings which lead to a reduced ear canal and eardrum. They have no visible pina. Most sound reception is thought to take place through the lower jaw. Another theory is that they receive the sound through the soft tissues and bone that surround the ears. The lower jawbone is filled with fat and is thought to conduct sound waves through the jaw and to the boned in the middle ear. Within this thin hollow part of the jaw is a fat deposit that extends back towards the earbone complex. Sounds are thought to be received and conducted through the lower jaw to the middle ear, inner ear, and then to the hearing centers of the brain through the auditory nerve.
Vision
Even though Belugas can see above water their eyes have also been adapted for seeing underwater. The fact that their eyes contain both rod and cone cells leads researchers to believe that Belugas have the ability to see well in bright light as well as dim light. It is not yet known if they can see colour. The beluga has special glands in the corners of the eye sockets that secrete an oily, jellylike substance which both lubricates the eyes and washes away debris. It is also thought that this substance may also provide protection for the eyes.
Taste
There is some evidence that Beluga whales are able to taste what is in their mouth.
Smell
Due to the nature of Beluga whales being an underwater mammal as well as the absence of Olfactory lobes and nerves in the brain it is not beleived that Beluga whales or any other whales have a sense of smell.
Even though Beluga whales probably cannot smell they still have to breathe. The blowhole is in located on top of the head just behind the melon. While underwater the blowhole is shut and the whale is holding its breath. As the whale approaches the surface of the water it begins to exhale creating the visible blow of the whale. While the blowhole is closed the muscles are relaxed and in order to breathe the whale must consciously open its blowhole then as the muscles relax it closes again, watertight.
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