Phocoena sinus
Neophocaena phocaenoides
Phocoena phocoena
Phocoena spinipinnis
Australophocaena dioptrica
Phocoenoides dalli
Porpoise is the general term used for the 6 species in this family. Porpoises are small odontocetes (toothed whales) that have been distinct from their dolphin relatives since about 10-11 million years ago. The geographic distribution of fossils suggests that porpoises originated in the North Pacific and spread later to the Atlantic and southern oceans.
Porpoises have no distinct beaks and their foreheads slope uniformly forward to the tip of their snouts. They have a particularly well-developed air sinus system in their heads. One of the most highly evolved members of the family is the Dall's porpoise. It's skull and air sinus are very complex and its vertebral column comprises numerous vertebrae that are extremely compressed and commensurate with increased trunk muscle mass. The Dall's porpoise is the fastest, strongest swimmer of all cetaceans and swims so quickly (up to 50kms/hr) at the surface that it can create a plume of water in its wake.
| Home > Discover > Porpoises | SITEMAP |
| Vaquita Phocoena sinus |
|
| Finless Porpoise Neophocaena phocaenoides |
|
| Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena |
|
| Burmeister's Porpoise Phocoena spinipinnis |
|
| Spectacled Porpoise Australophocaena dioptrica |
|
| Dall's Porpoise Phocoenoides dalli |
|
|
||||||||||||||
