Dall's Porpoise
Dall's Porpoise
Dall's Porpoise
In the cold waters of the North Pacific, the Dall's porpoise zips through the waves with incredible speed. Named for their habit of leaping from the water, resembling skipping stones, these black and white dolphins are a sight to behold. Let's explore the ecology of Dall's porpoise and the challenges they face.
Dall's Porpoise Basic Infomation
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phocoenoides dalli |
| Taxonomic Status | ACCEPTED |
| Rank | SPECIES |
| Vernacular Names | Dall's Porpoise |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Cetartiodactyla |
| Family | Phocoenidae |
| Genus | Phocoenoides |
| Habitats | North Pacific Ocean |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
Habitat
Dall's porpoises are widely distributed in the cold temperate to subarctic waters of the North Pacific Ocean, primarily found from Alaska to the coast of the Sea of Japan.
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Size and Weight
Adults can grow up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) long and weigh about 440 pounds (200 kilograms). They are relatively small among dolphins. Females tend to be slightly larger than males.
Physical Characteristics
They are characterized by their striking black and white coloration and rounded head. Their dorsal fin is small and triangular, distinguishing them from other dolphins.
Diet
They primarily feed on fish and squid.
Ecology
They are highly social animals and often form large pods of dozens to hundreds of individuals. They are known for their speed and frequently exhibit a behavior called 'porpoising,' where they leap high out of the water. They are also known to enjoy riding bow waves created by boats.
Lifespan
Their average lifespan is about 20 years.
Conservation Status
They are classified as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Red List, but bycatch from fisheries is a concern.
Dall's Porpoise Q&A
What kind of dolphin is the Dall's porpoise?
The Dall's porpoise is a species of porpoise belonging to the family Phocoenidae and the genus Phocoenoides.
They are named for their habit of leaping from the water, resembling skipping stones. In English, they are called 'Dall's porpoises.' This name was given to them by the American naturalist, William Healey Dall, who first discovered them in the 19th century. They have a distinctive black and white coloration. Their head is rounded, and they have a very small beak. They have a small, triangular dorsal fin. They are known for their high energy levels and are one of the fastest swimmers among dolphins. They often leap high out of the water, creating a dynamic spectacle. They also love to ride bow waves created by boats. They are highly intelligent and social animals, often forming large pods of dozens to hundreds of individuals. They are known to cooperate with each other when hunting and raising their young.
What do Dall's porpoises eat?
Dall's porpoises are carnivores and mainly eat fish and squid.
They use their sharp teeth to catch their prey. They often hunt in groups, herding and encircling their prey. They also use echolocation to find their prey, emitting sound waves to understand their surroundings and pinpoint the location of their prey. They are known for their efficiency in hunting, even in murky waters.
[Quiz!] Why are Dall's porpoises so fast?
Dall's porpoises are one of the fastest swimmers among dolphins.
They can swim at speeds of over 34 miles per hour (55 kilometers per hour)! This incredible speed is attributed to their streamlined body shape, powerful muscles, and smooth skin. Their tail fin, which is crescent-shaped, allows for efficient propulsion through the water. These adaptations enable them to swim at high speeds.
[Quiz!] Are Dall's porpoises endangered?
The Dall's porpoise is listed as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List.
This means they are not currently considered endangered. However, their numbers may be declining due to bycatch from fisheries. To protect Dall's porpoises, it's essential to regulate fishing practices and reduce bycatch. We also need to understand more about them.
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Dall's Porpoise Type of List
Characteristics of Dall's Porpoises
- Distinctive black and white coloration
- Rounded head
- Small dorsal fin
- Maximum length of about 8 feet (2.4 meters)
- Weigh about 440 pounds (200 kilograms)
- One of the fastest swimmers among dolphins
- Exhibit 'porpoising' behavior, leaping high out of the water
- Form large pods of dozens to hundreds of individuals
- Least Concern (LC), but bycatch from fisheries is a concern
Information
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Dall's Porpoise References
Dall's Porpoise Introduction of media used
Susan E Adams (https://www.flickr.com/photos/susanad813/), CC BY-SA 2.0, ウィキメディア・コモンズ経由で
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain, ウィキメディア・コモンズ経由で
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Dall's Porpoise
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