Burmeister's Porpoise
Burmeister's Porpoise
Burmeister's Porpoise
In the cold waters off the coast of South America, the Burmeister's porpoise lives a secluded life. They are known for rarely surfacing and are considered one of the most enigmatic dolphins. Let's dive into the ecology of the Burmeister's porpoise and the threats they face.
Burmeister's Porpoise Basic Infomation
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phocoena spinipinnis |
| Taxonomic Status | ACCEPTED |
| Rank | SPECIES |
| Vernacular Names | Burmeister's Porpoise |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Cetartiodactyla |
| Family | Phocoenidae |
| Genus | Phocoena |
| Habitats | Coasts of South America |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
Habitat
Burmeister's porpoises are found in the shallow coastal waters of South America, particularly along the coasts of Chile and Peru.
Size and Weight
They measure about 4.9 to 6.6 feet (1.5 to 2 meters) long and weigh about 110 to 231 pounds (50 to 105 kilograms). They are a relatively small species of porpoise. Females are slightly larger than males.
Physical Characteristics
They have a dark gray body color with a rounded head and a short beak.
Diet
They primarily feed on small fish and squid.
Ecology
They are often solitary or found in pairs, and occasionally form small groups.
Lifespan
Their estimated lifespan is about 25 years.
Conservation Status
They are classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, but bycatch from fisheries is a major threat.
Burmeister's Porpoise Q&A
What are the distinctive physical characteristics of the Burmeister's porpoise?
Burmeister's porpoises have a dark gray body and a rounded head.
What do Burmeister's porpoises eat?
They mainly feed on small fish and squid.
[Quiz!] Why are Burmeister's porpoises so rarely seen?
Burmeister's porpoises are known as the 'phantom porpoise' because they rarely surface.
Even when they come to the surface to breathe, they barely show their bodies. The reasons for this behavior are still not fully understood, but there are several theories:
• To avoid predators: Surfacing makes them vulnerable to predators such as orcas and sharks. They may be avoiding predators by minimizing their time at the surface.
• To make it easier to catch prey: Burmeister's porpoises mainly eat fish and crustaceans that live on or near the seabed. Surfacing could alert these prey animals and make them harder to catch. They may be trying to make it easier to catch prey by staying submerged.
• To maintain body temperature: Burmeister's porpoises live in cold waters. Surfacing can cause them to lose body heat. They may be trying to conserve heat by minimizing their time at the surface.
Whatever the reason, the Burmeister's porpoise's habit of staying submerged is an interesting aspect of their ecology.
[Quiz!] Are Burmeister's porpoises endangered?
Burmeister's porpoises are listed as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List.
This means that they are not currently endangered. However, their numbers may be declining due to bycatch from fisheries. To protect Burmeister's porpoises, it is important to regulate fishing and reduce bycatch. We also need to learn more about them.
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Burmeister's Porpoise Type of List
Characteristics of Burmeister's Porpoises
- 4.9 to 6.6 feet (1.5 to 2 meters) long
- Weigh 110 to 231 pounds (50 to 105 kilograms)
- Dark gray body color
- Rounded head
- Short beak
- Rarely surface
- Often solitary or in pairs
- Occasionally form small groups
- Live off the Pacific coast of South America
- Least Concern (LC) but bycatch from fisheries is a concern
Information
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Burmeister's Porpoise References
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Burmeister's Porpoise
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