# Porpoise (*Phocoena phocoena*) Porpoises are small marine mammals that look like dolphins. They are known for their playful nature and love to swim and jump in the ocean. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas - **Also known as:** Common Porpoise, Harbor Porpoise, Harbour Porpoise, North Atlantic Porpoise ![Porpoise](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426821/objects/6328.jpg) ## Appearance The Porpoise has a small, stocky body with a rounded head and no prominent beak. Its back is dark gray to black, fading to lighter gray sides and a white belly. It is visually distinct from dolphins by its triangular dorsal fin and spade-shaped teeth. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Cetacea - **Family:** Phocoenidae - **Genus:** Phocoena ## Interesting facts - A porpoise's brain is as wrinkly as a human's! - Baby porpoises are called calves and can swim immediately after birth. - Porpoises don't have vocal cords; they make sounds with nasal passages. - They use powerful muscles to push water out of their blowhole for breathing. ## Special abilities - **Sound Navigator:** Porpoise can 'see' using high-frequency clicks (echolocation), helping them find food and navigate in murky water. - **Deep Diver:** Porpoise can hold its breath for several minutes, allowing it to hunt for fish far below the surface. - **Blubber Belt:** Porpoise has a thick layer of blubber that keeps it warm even in icy ocean waters. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 140-190 cm - **Weight:** 40-70 kg - **Lifespan:** 8-15 years - **Speed:** 30 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 300-330 days ## Diet & Feeding These swift hunters primarily eat small fish and squid found in cooler ocean waters. - **Age differences:** Young calves drink milk, then transition to small fish as they learn to hunt. - **Primary Foods:** Atlantic Cod, Atlantic Herring, Mackerel, Squid, Shrimp - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Orca](https://www.snappit.app/explore/orca) (*Orcinus orca*) — Orcas are known predators of harbor porpoises. - **Hunts:** [Atlantic Cod](https://www.snappit.app/explore/atlantic-cod) (*Gadus morhua*) — Porpoises actively hunt and eat this bottom-dwelling fish. - **Hunts:** [Atlantic Herring](https://www.snappit.app/explore/atlantic-herring) (*Clupea harengus*) — This schooling fish is a primary prey item for porpoises. - **Hunts:** [Atlantic Mackerel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/atlantic-mackerel) (*Scomber scombrus*) — A fast-swimming fish often targeted by porpoises. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Thermoregulating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thermoregulating): Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Echolocation](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/echolocation): Echolocation is a biological sonar used by animals to navigate, hunt, and communicate by emitting sound waves and interpreting the echoes. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see porpoises in the wild, admire them from a distance and never try to touch or feed them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Porpoise? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Porpoise? 140-190 cm ### How much does Porpoise weigh? 40-70 kg ### How long does Porpoise live? 8-15 years ### How fast can Porpoise move? 30 km/h ### What does Porpoise eat? These swift hunters primarily eat small fish and squid found in cooler ocean waters. ### Where is Porpoise usually found? Coastal areas ### How does Porpoise hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Jáji7em and Kw’ulh Marine Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/j-ji7em-and-kwulh-marine-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Sechelt Inlets Marine Provincial Park - Kunechin Point Site](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sechelt-inlets-marine-provincial-park-kunechin-point-site) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Ruckle Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ruckle-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Myrtle Edwards Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/myrtle-edwards-park) — Washington, US · Park [View all places to see Porpoise](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/porpoise) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Porpoise: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/porpoise)