Smaller and Shyer The Porpoise

In comparison with its relative, the dolphin, the porpoise is smaller in size and less social. Often confused with the dolphin, less is known of this marine mammal

They come from the family of Cetacea, which includes whales and dolphins, and comprise seven extant species, of which the Vaquita is most critically endangered. You may have heard of the porpoise, but have you wondered more about this sea creature and why it may differ from the dolphin which it so closely resembles? They are essentially crucial creatures to the environment and are indicators of the marine health of our water bodies. Not to mention the fact that they are a tourist attraction seen in the oceans and seas across the world and in some rivers in Asia.

According to the SCANS-IV (Small Cetaceans in European Atlantic waters and the North Sea) survey report of 2023, the most abundant species were Harbor porpoise – at 409,000, the Common dolphin – at 439,000, and Striped dolphin at 187,000. The Harbor porpoise is one of seven species, which include the Burmeister’s porpoise, the Spectacled porpoise; Indo-Pacific Finless porpoise; the Narrow-ridged porpoise, the Dall’s porpoise and the Vaquita porpoise.