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Harbor Porpoise

Whales, Dolphins & Dugong

Photo: (c) Nodnarb Nedloh, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · CC BY-SA 4.0

Phocoena phocoena

Basic stats

Diet

Small schooling fish and squid

Habitat

Cool, shallow coastal waters

Size

Usually 1.4–1.9m

Weight

About 45–65kg

The harbor porpoise is a small, thick-bodied cetacean with a blunt head, no projecting beak and a low triangular dorsal fin. Its back is dark grey, fading through paler flanks to a white underside. Adults are commonly 1.4–1.9m long and weigh roughly 45–65kg, with females generally larger than males. The small size and triangular fin distinguish it from most dolphins (Wikipedia, general species account).

Across its range, the species favours cool, shallow coastal seas, bays, estuaries and continental-shelf waters. It usually travels alone or in small groups and surfaces quietly, making it easy to overlook. Harbor porpoises feed on small schooling fish and squid, using echolocation clicks to find prey. Females normally produce one calf after a gestation of roughly ten to eleven months (Wikipedia, general species account).

Quick answers

What does the Harbor Porpoise eat?
Small schooling fish and squid
What habitat does the Harbor Porpoise live in?
Cool, shallow coastal waters
How big is the Harbor Porpoise?
Usually 1.4–1.9m
How much does the Harbor Porpoise weigh?
About 45–65kg
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