Porpoises (/ ˈ p ɔː r p ə s ɪ z /) are small dolphin-like cetaceans classified under the family Phocoenidae. Although similar in appearance to dolphins, they are more closely related to narwhals and belugas than to the true dolphins. [1] There are eight extant species of porpoise, all among the smallest of the toothed whales.

People use the terms dolphins, porpoises, and whales to describe marine mammals belonging to the order Cetacea (from the Greek work ketos, “large sea creature”), and often use them interchangeably. The orca, or killer whale, for example, is actually the largest member of …

Porpoises hunt fast-moving fish, squid, and other sea creatures. They have blubber to keep them warm, a single blowhole, and most have a dorsal fin and countershading camouflage which means they are darker on their back than their belly.

Feb 16, 2025 · Porpoise, any of seven species of toothed whales distinguishable from dolphins by their more compact build, generally smaller size (maximum length about 2 meters, or 6.6 feet), and curved blunt snout with spatulate rather than conical teeth. In North America the name is sometimes applied to dolphins.

Nov 20, 2024 · Porpoises are small aquatic mammals from the cetacean family Phocoenidae that fall within a large group of toothed whales, Odontoceti. Often confused with dolphins, porpoises have several distinct traits.

Oct 16, 2024 · Different types of porpoises. Porpoise species include the vaquita, harbour porpoise, Burmeister's porpoise, spectacled porpoise, Dall's porpoise, finless porpoise, Yangtze finless porpoise and more.

May 10, 2017 · Porpoises are a unique type of cetacean that are in the family Phocoenidae. Porpoises are generally small animals (no species grows longer than about 8 feet) with robust bodies, blunt snouts and spade-shaped teeth.

Porpoises are small, toothed whales, similar in shape to dolphins, but more closely related to their Arctic cousins. This creature probably has the highest joke-to-humour ratio of any animal on earth.

Mar 24, 2015 · Harbor porpoises have a small, robust body with a short, blunt beak and a medium-sized triangular dorsal fin. Their back is dark gray fading to lighter intermediate shades of gray on their sides. Their belly and throat are white, with a dark gray chin patch. Females are slightly larger than males.

Aug 1, 2017 · Porpoises are a group of aquatic marine mammals belonging to the family Phocoenidae. Six species of porpoises inhabit the world’s oceans today including the world’s most threatened cetacean, the vaquita.