Belugas use sound often, which led to their name "sea canaries." Beluga whales rely on sound to communicate, hunting in dark waters, and finding their way around. They also use echolocation, which is a skill that whales possess, It allows them to locate objects by listening to echo. 11 different beluga sounds have been documented. Using echolocation, belugas can determine the distance, speed, and size of objects. Belugas can also communicate through facial expressions or physical contact.