Harbour Porpoise

Harbour Porpoise

Common porpoise, Harbor porpoise, Puffing pigs, Harbour porpoise

4 languages
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Infraorder
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Phocoena phocoena
Population size
700,000
Life Span
20 yrs
Top speed
23 km/h
Weight
61-76 kg
Length
1.4-1.9 m

The harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena ) is one of eight extant species of porpoise. It is one of the smallest species of cetacean. As its name implies, it stays close to coastal areas or river estuaries, and as such, is the most familiar porpoise to whale watchers. This porpoise often ventures up rivers, and has been seen hundreds of kilometres from the sea. The harbour porpoise may be polytypic, with geographically distinct populations representing distinct races: P. p. phocoena in the North Atlantic and West Africa, P. p. relicta in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, an unnamed population in the northwestern Pacific and P. p. vomerina in the northeastern Pacific.

Ca

Carnivore

Pi

Piscivores

Aq

Aquatic

Pr

Precocial

Na

Natatorial

Te

Territorial

Po

Polygynandry

So

Social

Mi

Migrating

H

starts with

Appearance

The Harbour porpoise is the porpoise that is most commonly seen, and it is also the most widely distributed cetacean in northern Europe, easily recognizable from its short triangular dorsal fin and lack of a beak. It is smaller than other porpoises and has a plump body and a dark gray to bluish back, pale belly with a rounded head. When born, the young have a dull color and usually have birth lines that look like folds in their skin, which last for a few hours after birth.

Distribution

Geography

Harbour porpoises live in coastal regions in the North Atlantic, North Pacific and the Arctic Oceans, as well as the Black Sea and the Mediterranean regions. They inhabit estuaries, bays, and river mouths, and sometimes go further upriver. They prefer shallow, cold coastal waters.

Harbour Porpoise habitat map

Climate zones

Harbour Porpoise habitat map
Harbour Porpoise
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Habits and Lifestyle

The Harbour porpoise is a social species that travels in groups of two to five members, but larger groups can form during migration. Some populations migrate, but on return to their usual areas they are territorial, and patrol certain areas. These porpoises usually swim near the water's surface, rising up to the surface about every 25 seconds to breathe, and their blow is not easy to see at sea. They do not present an especially playful attitude, taking no notice of boats and hardly ever leaping above the water. They can often be detected by their loud puffing sound as they breathe at the surface.

Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

The Harbour porpoise eats mainly smooth, non-spiny fish, such as herring, pollack, hake, cod and sardines. Other sea creatures including cephalopods and shrimp are also eaten.

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR
REPRODUCTION SEASON
June-September
PREGNANCY DURATION
10-11 months
BABY CARRYING
1 calf
INDEPENDENT AGE
17-21 months
FEMALE NAME
cow
MALE NAME
bull
BABY NAME
calf

Harbour porpoises are polygynandrous, two or more males mating with two or more female porpoises. Mating mainly takes place from June to September, with births occurring between May and August. Females give birth to a single calf every year or every second year, following a gestation of 10-11 months. The mothers usually take their newborns to secluded coves for nursing. Lactation lasts approximately 8-12 months, though calves start to eat solid food at around 5 months of age. Young porpoises stay with their mothers after weaning for up to a further 9 months. They reach sexual maturity at the age of 3-4.

Population

Population threats

The main threats are considered to be lack of food, entanglement in fishing nets, noise and chemical pollution, hunting, and boat traffic.

Population number

According to IUCN's Red List, the global number for this species is no fewer than 700,000 individuals. Harbour porpoises are classified currently as least concern (LC) on the list of threatened species.

Fun Facts for Kids

  • The name “porpoise” comes from the Latin for pig (porcus). Harbour porpoises are therefore sometimes called "puffing pigs,” due to the sound they make as they breathe.
  • When surfacing for air, these porpoises do not splash; instead, they roll from their beak to their fluke and arch their back.
  • Due to the Harbour porpoise's small size, it needs to eat frequently to maintain its body heat and energy in comparison with larger cetaceans that can store large amounts of energy in their fat/blubber.
  • Porpoises are not so energetic as dolphins, and when it comes to showing off, they become more shy.
  • The Harbour porpoise is equipped with echolocation, which enables it to navigate the seas and search for food, in complete darkness sometimes.
  • The abundant harbour porpoise is the best-known and most popular species of porpoise, and they are often found swimming in coastal waters and near the harbor.
  • They are extremely intelligent and can to do various tricks and carry out specific tasks when trained.

References

1. Harbour Porpoise Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harbour_porpoise
2. Harbour Porpoise on The IUCN Red List site - http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/17027/0

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