SmallWhale

Harbour porpoise

Meet the speedy, small porpoise that loves to play near the shore and even swim up rivers!

Images

File:Jack, a harbour porpoise at Vancouver Aquarium.jpg

File:Jack, a harbour porpoise at Vancouver Aquarium.jpg

openverse
Before seeing a Harbour porpoise
Harbour Porpoise
66-365 harbour porpoise
Skull of a harbour porpoise
Harbour porpoise Die Säugthiere Abbildungen
harbour porpoise
Beached Black Sea harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena ssp. relicta)
PNW Saltwater - mammals 6 - harbour porpoise
Harbour porpoise Die Säugthiere Abbildungen
Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena distribution map
A Harbour Porpoise

Key Facts

Scientific Name
Phocoena phocoena.
Habitat
Coastal waters, bays, estuaries, and sometimes rivers.
Size
One of the smallest cetaceans, about 5 feet long.
Fun Fact
They can swim hundreds of kilometers up rivers away from the sea.

Where the Porpoises Like to Play!

Harbour porpoises are like little ocean explorers who love to stay close to land. Imagine them playing in the shallow waters near beaches and bays, or even in salty rivers that meet the sea. They are found in oceans all around the world, like the big Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

They don't like to swim too far out into the deep, dark sea, preferring to be where they can see the shore. It's like they have a favorite neighborhood they always come back to!

Tiny Whales with Big Hearts!

Did you know porpoises are actually a type of whale? Harbour porpoises are one of the smallest kinds of whales, even smaller than a school bus! They are super cute with their little rounded heads and no beak, unlike dolphins.

They are very shy and don't like to show off by jumping out of the water. You might only see their little fin pop up for a second before they dive back down. They are really good at hiding!

River Adventurers!

These porpoises are super brave and love to go on adventures! Sometimes, they swim far, far up rivers, even hundreds of miles away from the ocean. It's like they are exploring a whole new world!

They are called 'harbour' porpoises because they like to hang out in harbors and bays, which are safe places for boats. They are the most common porpoise you might see if you go whale watching near the coast.

What's for Dinner?

Harbour porpoises are always looking for a tasty snack. Their favorite foods are small fish and squid that swim in the ocean. They use their excellent hearing to find their dinner, even in murky water. They are very quick swimmers and can catch their food easily. After a good meal, they like to rest near the surface of the water, breathing in the fresh air before diving back down for more fun.

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Based on content from Wikipedia · Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0