Harbor Porpoise Facts

 

The harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) is a shy species of porpoise that inhabits the Salish Sea year-round. They are the smallest species of cetacean (a group that includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises) in the Salish Sea. They reach an average length of 5 to 5 ½ feet and weighing up to 170 pounds. Harbor porpoises generally live in groups of 2 to 3 and are widely distributed throughout the Salish Sea. While they are one of the most abundant and frequently sighted cetacean in the Salish Sea, we know very little about their ecology, such as their population, life cycle, genetics, and behavior.

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Photos by Florian Graner.

Photos by Florian Graner.

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