The Harbour Porpoise
(Phocoena phocoena)
The harbour porpoise is the smallest
species of cetacean found in European waters, measuring around 1.2 -
1.5 metres in length and weighing 50 - 60 kg. It is often confused with dolphins,
particularly the bottlenose dolphin. The porpoise is rotund in shape, with a small
triangular dorsal fin which shows briefly above the surface - usually little of the
animal
is seen, as it rarely leaves the water entirely. It has a small rounded head with
no distinct beak. Harbour porpoises do not usually approach boats nor bow ride,
although they can be observed at close quarters from our boats. And in late summer,
may actually approach vessals.
Harbour porpoises generally live in groups of two or three animals, or singly, but
occasionally forming groups of 10 - 20 animals. The main mating season is summer,
and birth takes place 10-11 months later (usually between May and August with a peak
in June). Calves are suckled for between four and eight months, and the mother usually
reproduces every 1-2 years. Porpoises take three to four years to reach sexual maturity
and have a relatively short life span usually of no more than 15 years, although
animals have been recorded up to 24 years of age. The harbour porpoise eats a varied
diet of fish, cephalopods and crustaceans, related to local availability of food
in European waters, herring, mackerel, sand-eel, gobies cod pollack,
