The Porpoise
The small beakless Delphinidae, which have a triangular dorsal fin and spade-shaped teeth, black above and white below; travels in large schools. The word “porpoise” is derived from the French porc-poisson, “pig-fish.” Never larger than 6 feet.
Genus Phocaena
P. phocaena: The Common Porpoise. Chiefly North Atlantic and North Pacific; never larger than 6 feet.
P. spinipinnis: Burmeister’s Porpoise. Rare. La Plata round Horn to Peru.
P. dalli: Dall’s Harbor Porpoise. Very rare. Alaska; less than 5 feet.
P. truei: True’s Porpoise. Japan; less than 5 feet.
P. dioprica: River Plate to South Georgia.
Genus Neomeris
N. phocaenoides: Finless Black Porpoise. Cape of Good Hope to Japan.
Genus Lissodelphis
L. peronii: New Zealand and Tasmania; about 6 feet.
L. brealis: North Pacific; about 8 feet.
The Right Whale Dolphins