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More information on whales
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Dall's Porpoise Animal Printouts
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Spectacled Porpoise

Dall's Porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) is a fast-swimming, black-and-white toothed whale. It makes a distinctive "rooster tail" spray of water as it surfaces to breathe. It is also known as the "Spray Porpoise," True's porpoise, and the White-flanked Porpoise.

There are two types of Dall's Porpoise, the Dalli-type and the Truei-type; they differ in their white patch and their distribution. Dalli-type porpoises are found in the northern Pacific Ocean from North America to Asia. Truei-type porpoises are only found around Japan. Both types are found close to land and in the open sea. They may migrate.

Anatomy: Dall's Porpoise is from 5.75-7.25 feet (1.7-2.2 m) long. Newborn calves are from 34 to 39 inches (85-100 cm) long. Like all porpoises, it has spade-shaped teeth and a small, rounded head. It has black skin and a large white patch on the belly; it also has a gray dorsal fin and white-edged flukes.

Diet: Dall's Porpoise is a carnivore that eats fish, crustaceans, and squid.

Classification: Suborder Odontoceti (toothed whales), Family Phocoenidae, Genus and species Phocoenoides dalli.



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