Harbour Porpoise [Phocoena phocoena]
Description
The Harbour Porpoise is one of six species of porpoise. It is one of the smallest marine mammals. As its name implies, it stays close to coastal areas or river estuaries and as such, is the most familiar porpoise to whale watchers. This porpoise often ventures up rivers and has been seen hundreds of miles from the sea. The Harbour Porpoise species is widespread in cooler coastal waters of the North Atlantic, North Pacific and the Black Sea. The color of the Harbour Porpoise is dark gray or brown on its back, fading to white on the flanks and belly.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Mammals
Mammalia
|
| Order |
Cetaceans
Cetacea
|
| Family |
Porpoises
Phocoenidae
|
| Genus |
Harbour Porpoise
Phocoena
|