Biology
(
Anglèis
)
fornì da World Register of Marine Species
Harbour porpoises live either solitarily or in groups, normally of three to five individuals, although sometimes more. Normally individual porpoises or couples (mother and calf) are observed and high numbers can be seen during migrations. Like dolphins, the harbour porpoise orientates itself by means of echo-sounding or ‘sonar’. It has a particular way of swimming with a ‘rolling’ movement (imagine a turning wheel); part of the back, including the dorsal fin surfaces briefly before re-entering the water giving the appearance of a rotating motion. This movement will normally be repeated three to four times, prior to a long dive. The diet of an adult harbour porpoise is made up of various pelagic and demersal fish, as well as invertebrates. In the Southern North Sea, it consists mainly of small benthic fish, herring, cephalopod, whiting and cod. A daily meal would normally consist of about 5 kilos fish (around 10% of the body
Stienen, E.W.M.; Van Waeyenberge, J.; Kuijken, E. (2003). Zeezoogdieren in Belgisch mariene wateren [Marine mammals in Belgian marine waters]. Rapport Instituut voor Natuurbehoud, A.2003.152. Instituut voor Natuurbehoud: Brussel, Belgium. 15 pp.
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Diet
(
Anglèis
)
fornì da World Register of Marine Species
Variety of inshore and offshore fish, herring, mackerel, and anchovy. Krill when young.
North-West Atlantic Ocean species (NWARMS)
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Distribution
(
Anglèis
)
fornì da World Register of Marine Species
East Pacific; Eastern Atlantic Ocean; Indo-West Pacific; Western Atlantic Ocean
North-West Atlantic Ocean species (NWARMS)
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Habitat
(
Anglèis
)
fornì da World Register of Marine Species
cool temperate and subpolar, mostly in shallow water
van der Land, J. (ed). (2008). UNESCO-IOC Register of Marine Organisms (URMO).
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Habitat
(
Anglèis
)
fornì da World Register of Marine Species
inshore and offshore
North-West Atlantic Ocean species (NWARMS)
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IUCN Red List Category
(
Anglèis
)
fornì da World Register of Marine Species
Least Concern (LC)
IUCN (2008) Cetacean update of the 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
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IUCN Red List Category
(
Anglèis
)
fornì da World Register of Marine Species
Subpopulation Baltic Sea harbour porpoise : Critically Endangered (CR)
IUCN (2008) Cetacean update of the 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
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Morphology
(
Anglèis
)
fornì da World Register of Marine Species
Distinguishing characteristics: Dives without lifting tail. Blow not readily visible. Triangular dorsal fin. Spoon-shaped teeth. Blunt snout. Colour is grey above with white belly.
North-West Atlantic Ocean species (NWARMS)
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Morphology
(
Anglèis
)
fornì da World Register of Marine Species
The head is blunt. Depending on the light, the back may appear black, grey or brown). The flanks are grey and the underside is white. The pectoral fins are black. A dark line runs from the corner of the mouth to the flipper. The more or less triangular small dorsal fin is positioned in the centre of the back. The upper back and dorsal fin are the only features one normally gets to see of a swimming harbour porpoise. The chief characteristics are its small size, the blunt head and the small triangular dorsal fin.
Stienen, E.W.M.; Van Waeyenberge, J.; Kuijken, E. (2003). Zeezoogdieren in Belgisch mariene wateren [Marine mammals in Belgian marine waters]. Rapport Instituut voor Natuurbehoud, A.2003.152. Instituut voor Natuurbehoud: Brussel, Belgium. 15 pp.
- licensa
- cc-by-4.0
- drit d'autor
- WoRMS Editorial Board