Harbor Porpoise Facts
- Perhaps most notably, the term of Harbor Porpoise serves as the most frequently used of the common names for a stunning marine mammal. Like many species, though, the stunning creature also goes by a variety of other names, in various portions of its native range.
- These alternate terms include such diverse appelations as the nise, and, for unknown reasons, the somewhat humorous name of the puffing pig. Its official, scientific name, however remains that of the somewhat unique, and rather hard to pronounce, term of Phocoena phocoena.
- Regardless of which name one chooses to use to refer to it, though, this magnificent creature currently represents one of only six or seven known surviving species of porpoise. The current discrepancy occurs due to ongoing debates over whether or not one is a subspecies.
- The first known scientific description of this marvelous cetacean occurred in the year 1758. This comparatively important footnote in scientific history also holds yet another distinction. That’s because it occurred at the hands of the famous Swedish zoologist, Carl Linnaeus.
- However, the magnficent animal itself had long been known to specific portions of mankind. That awareness, in fact, dates back to ancient times. In modern our modern era, though, for the moment, the stunning Harbor Porpoise appears to be maintaining a fairly sizable population.
- The IUCN nonetheless presently lists the amazing mammal as Vulnerable. This status appears on its Red List of Threatened Species. This sad status occurs due to reasons such as concerns over the extreme vulnerability of the species to potential habitat loss and climate change.
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Harbor Porpoise Physical Description
Although the Harbor Porpoise remains an impressive specimen of a marine cetacean, it does not earn that status due to size. Even among other porpoises, it’s smaller than average. Yet, it’s not the smallest of the recognized porpoises. That particular distinction currently belongs to the Vaquita.
This fascinating mammal additionally displays a very slight degree of the physiological characteristic known as sexual dimorphism. That remains a characteristic that the creature shares with most of its relatives. In its case, though, that natural characteristic manifests itself in terms of body mass.
That holds true since the females of this particular species manifest an average body weight equaling between 25 – 30 percent more than their male counterparts. However, both genders attain roughly the same body length. The females, therefore, have a much thicker-bodied appearance.
In fact, each of the sexes of this marvel typically reaches an average length that measures between 4.6 – 6.2 ft (1.4 – 1.9 m). In terms of weight, though, the males reach an average weight of about 134 lb (61 kg). Meanwhile, though, the notably bulkier females average a weight of 168 lb (76 kg).
Visually, the genders appear remarkably similar otherwise. The body of the animal develops as robust, being widest near the dorsal fin. The sides display a light gray, with speckling. Yet, its tail fin, back, flippers, and dorsal fin show a dark gray. The underside, though, displays a white in color.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Artiodactyla
- Family: Phocoenidae
- Genus: Phocoena
- Species: P. phocoena
Harbor Porpoise Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
Quite amazingly, the beautiful Harbor Porpoise possesses a uniquely broad range of natural habitation. Despite this, it’s also simultaneously highly restricted in some ways, though. That somewhat confusing state of affairs occurs because of an extremely unique combination of factors.
For starters, the beautiful marine animal appears in certain parts of the Black Sea, the North Pacific, and the North Atlantic. Following this, however, the animal further only appears in narrow bands. These areas, as it happens, most often extend along the coastal regions of the continents.
The greatest concentration of its population appears along the coasts of northwest Europe. Its very name provides an indication of its habitat. That’s due to the fact that the cetacean only appears in shallow waters, often near, or even in, various harbors and bays in its region of habitation.
In point of fact, this captivating mammal rarely dwells in waters having a depth measuring greater than 500 ft (152 m). Incredibly, the magnificent Harbor Porpoise also frequently travels regions of inland waters. This extension of its range typically includes estuaries, and even far up rivers.
Throughout the entirety of its native territorial range, it feeds on a wide variety of prey. These mainly consist of small fish travelling in schools. But, it also consumes smaller squids and crustaceans on occasion. Understandably, though, its exact prey varies depending on individual location.
Very sadly, reliable data about much of the life cycle of this fabulous creature presently remains in lamentably short supply. Yet, that limited evidence does indicate that this animal prefers to stay within a limited area. This has the regrettable effect of leaving the marvel quite vulnerable.
The fabulous creation of Nature and evolution also appears that the impressive species lives a primarily solitary life. Most often, specimens appeared either alone, or in small groups of no more than 5 individuals. It also seems to possess a relatively short lifespan, measuring only 8 – 13 years.
Species Sharing Its Range
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