Harbour Porpoise
Phocoena phocoena
Conservation Status
Least ConcernMammalia · Cetacea · Phocoenidae
About
The harbour porpoise 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.
Fun Fact
Harbour porpoises have the highest metabolic rate of any cetacean — they must eat almost continuously, consuming about 10% of their body weight in fish daily just to stay warm in cold waters.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Coastal waters
Diet
Piscivore
Lifespan
8-13 years
Threats
- Shipping Traffic
- Overfishing