beluga whale; white whale
Refers to the Arctic and sub-Arctic cetacean Delphinapterus leucas. Commonly seen in aquariums and known for its vocalizations.
水族館でシロイルカのショーを見た。
I saw a beluga whale show at the aquarium.
シロイルカは北極海に生息している。
Beluga whales inhabit the Arctic Ocean.
クジラ is the general term for whale; シロイルカ is a medium-sized toothed whale often grouped with dolphins.
Chilean dolphin; black dolphin
Katakana spelling is the most common written form.
Kanji spelling is rare; the word is usually written in kana.
Compound of 白 (しろ, 'white') and イルカ (いるか, 'dolphin'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the name describes the animal's pale coloration.