Key Information
Porpoises
| Species | 8 known species |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Length | 4 ft 7 in to 7 ft 7 in |
| Weight | 119 to 490 lb |
| Lifespan | Up to 10 years |
| Classification | Mammalia > Cetacea > Delphinoidea |
| Conservation Status | Varies |
| Habitat | In various seas and rivers |
Learning Point
- The Porpoise is a form of whale (cetacean) that is similar in size to a dolphin, and is a key part of the ecosystem of the oceans. How well porpoises are doing indicates the health of the sea and ocean in which it lives.
Project
- Draw a pod of porpoises.
- Overview
- X-Ray
Location
| Places (Harbour Porpoise) | North & South America, Southern Europe, Africa, South and Eastern Asia, Australasia |
Fun Facts
- Though they look similar to dolphins, they are more like belugas, narwhals and other whales than dolphins.
- They use echolocation to find and catch their prey.
- They don’t seem to have a sense of smell!
- Porpoises need to be conscious to breathe, so they “sleep” by switching off one half of their brain, while the other half keeps the animal moving and breathing. They then switch the to the other half of the brain later.
Past Lessons
| 8 | July 23, 2026 | (North America) |