™™Common name: Harbor Porpoise
Scientific name: Family Phocoenidae:
Genus species: Phocoena phocoena
 | Size |
The harbor porpoise is one of the smallest kinds of whales, only reaching sizes up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) and can weight up to 90 kg (199 lb). They are small, but they are also "robust" or stocky porpoises.
| What do they eat? |
They eat fish (herring, mackerel, and sardines) and squid.
| Harbor Porpoise Highlights: |
Harbor porpoises are small, stocky whales. The robust size is thought to help minimize heat in colder waters (The body is padded with a thick layer of blubber) Harbor porpoises have dark brown or gray backs and a lighter sides, with a white tummy.
Harbor porpoises have 19-28 teeth. Like other porpoises, their teeth are "spade-shaped." The use their teeth to grasp and tear their food. They eat fish (herring, mackerel, and sardines) and squid. Harbor porpoises are eaten by killer whales and great white sharks.
Harbor porpoises are usually seen in small groups of 2 to 10 animals, however, once in a while larger herds of 50 or so animals are seen together. They are a shy species and do not approach boats. They, in fact, avoid them, which makes studying them difficult.
These porpoises are found throughout the northern hemisphere in temperate to some subpolar waters. They are most often found in coastal waters.
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