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Porpoises, and other cetaceans, belong to the clade Cetartiodactyla with even-toed ungulates. Porpoises range in size from the vaquita, at 1.4 metres (4 feet 7 inches) in length and 54 kilograms (119 pounds) in weight, to the Dall's porpoise, at 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in) and 220 kg (490 lb).
They are distinct from dolphins, although the word "porpoise" has been used to refer to any small dolphin, especially by sailors and fishermen. The most obvious visible differences between the two groups are that porpoises have a less pronounced beak, and have spade-shaped teeth as opposed to conical.
Cetacea (/ s ɪ ˈ t eɪ ʃ ə /; from Latin cetus 'whale', from Ancient Greek κῆτος () 'huge fish, sea monster') [3] is an infraorder of aquatic mammals belonging to the order Artiodactyla that includes whales, dolphins and porpoises.
A Pacific white-sided dolphin flips out of the water in the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary off California. These dolphins keep close company. [17] White-sided dolphins swim in groups of 10 to 100, and can often be seen bow-riding and doing somersaults. [6] [18] Members form a close-knit group and will often care for a sick or injured ...
Dolphins and porpoises are hunted in an activity known as dolphin drive hunting. This is done by driving a pod together with boats and usually into a bay or onto a beach. Their escape is prevented by closing off the route to the ocean with other boats or nets.
Dusky dolphins measure about 7 feet (2 meters) long and weigh up to 187 pounds (85 kilograms). By comparison, an orca measures up to 32 feet (10 meters) long and can weigh as much as 11 tons (10 ...
The harbour porpoise is a little smaller than the other porpoises, at about 67–85 cm (26 + 1 ⁄ 2 – 33 + 1 ⁄ 2 in) long at birth, weighing 6.4–10 kg. Adults of both sexes grow to 1.4 to 1.9 m (4 ft 7 in to 6 ft 3 in).
Lauren Rust, executive director of the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network, said this discovery emphasized the importance of protecting South Carolina’s dolphins.“I think it’s really critical ...