Harbor Porpoise
Harbor Porpoise
Harbor Porpoise
In the cold waters of the Northern Hemisphere, the harbor porpoise lives a quiet life. These small dolphins, with their rounded faces and unassuming nature, are a common sight in coastal waters. Let's explore the ecology of the harbor porpoise and the challenges they face in today's oceans.
Harbor Porpoise Basic Infomation
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| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phocoena phocoena |
| Taxonomic Status | ACCEPTED |
| Rank | SPECIES |
| Vernacular Names | Harbor Porpoise |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Cetartiodactyla |
| Family | Phocoenidae |
| Genus | Phocoena |
| Habitats | Coastal waters of the Northern Hemisphere |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
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Habitat
Harbor porpoises are widely distributed in the cold, coastal waters of the North Atlantic, North Pacific, and Black Sea.
Size and Weight
They grow to about 6 feet (1.8 meters) long and weigh about 187 pounds (85 kilograms). They are one of the smallest species of dolphin. Females are slightly larger than males.
Physical Characteristics
They have a dark gray back and a white belly, and a rounded body shape. They have a small dorsal fin compared to other dolphins, and their dorsal fin is almost triangular in shape.
Diet
They primarily feed on small fish, squid, and crustaceans.
Ecology
They are relatively solitary animals, often found alone or in pairs, but they may also form small groups.
Lifespan
Their lifespan is estimated to be about 20 years.
Conservation Status
They are classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, but bycatch from fisheries is a major threat.
Harbor Porpoise Q&A
What are the distinctive physical characteristics of the harbor porpoise?
Harbor porpoises have a dark gray back, a white belly, and a rounded body shape.
What do harbor porpoises eat?
They primarily feed on small fish, squid, and crustaceans.
[Quiz!] Why are they called 'harbor porpoises'?
Harbor porpoises are named for their small size, rounded body shape, and the 'chuff' sound they make when they surface to breathe.
The English name 'Harbor Porpoise' also refers to the fact that they are often seen in coastal areas, such as harbors.
[Quiz!] Are harbor porpoises endangered?
Harbor 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 harbor porpoises, it is essential to regulate fishing practices and reduce bycatch. We also need to understand more about them.
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Harbor Porpoise Type of List
Characteristics of Harbor Porpoises
- Small and round body
- Small dorsal fin
- Dark gray back and white belly
- Make a 'chuff' sound when surfacing
- Live in the cold coastal waters of the Northern Hemisphere
- Least Concern (LC), but bycatch from fisheries is a concern
Information
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Harbor Porpoise References
Harbor Porpoise Introduction of media used
Ecomare/Salko de Wolf, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ecomare/Salko de Wolf, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Harbor Porpoise
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