They form broad social networks

To hunt, reproduce, and have calves, belugas swim back to their original birthplaces every summer. Belugas are extremely gregarious creatures and are frequently observed in groups of two to hundreds of whales. It was originally believed that belugas, like orcas, had a matrilineal social structure that was based on female relatives. However, a 2020 research reported in Scientific Reports reveals belugas also create wider social networks outside of their immediate family in addition to socializing with them. Greg O'Corry-Crowe, the study's principal author and a research professor at Florida Atlantic University, hypothesizes that belugas may live in a fission-fusion society in which the number and composition of social groupings primarily rely on circumstance.

In contrast to killer and pilot whales, beluga whales don't exclusively or even mostly engage and associate with close family, according to a statement from O'Corry-Crowe. They may be able to maintain regular acoustic touch with close relatives even when they are not together due to their highly developed vocal communication.