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Dall's Porpoise
(Phocoenoides dalli):

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata (vertebrates)
Class: Mammalia (mammals)
Order: Cetacea
Family: Phocoenidae
Genus: Phocoenoides
Species: dalli

Small and sleek, the Dall's Porpoise is a member of the family Phocoenidae, which is composed of the world's smallest cetaceans. Reaching a length of only 6-8ft, and a weight of about 400lbs, the Dall's porpoise is often described as "stocky" in build. Nevertheless, it has made a name for itself for being the "cheetah" of the ocean, being able to reach speeds of 35mph.

Originally, two species of the Dall's where recorded, Dall's porpoise and True's porpoise, according to the distinct markings their bare. Four types of makings are recognized: That which is called Dall's porpoise is jet black with no markings, jet black with striped bodies, or with white lateral patch below and posterior of the dorsal fin. The True's version is with white lateral patch from the flippers to the mid-peducle region.

The Dall's Porpoise makes an unmistakable "rooster tail" as he rushes through the water at high speeds.

The Dall's Porpoise's diet consists of small squid, capelin, Pacific hake, mackerel and herring, to name a few. It is thought, although unknown, that the dall's porpoise dives relatively deep, as many deep ocean species have been found in their stomachs. Like other toothed cetaceans, the dall's porpoise used echolocation in their feeding and navigation.

Seen throughout the northern North Pacific, the dall's porpoise usually travel in groups of 10 to 20 individuals. However, it is not uncommon to spot a group of several thousand. After a 12 month gestation period, females give birth to a calve around 3 feet long. They swill separately from others until the calve grows stronger. Females are able to reproduce at the age of 6, while males do not mature until the age of 8. A female will give birth about every 3 years.

They are not safe! They need our help!

Every year, Japanese hand-held harpoon fisheries take thousands of dall's porpoises. In one year alone, 48,000 individuals were taken (1988 season). They are sold at auction to meat, although are usually miss labeled as "whale meat".

On November 1 of this year, the Japanese fleets set out again to take an estimated 18,000 individuals from surrounding waters. All this despite the scientific evidence that at the current rate, dall's porpoise communities will not be able to sustain their population. If this yearly exploitation is allowed to continue, to will only be a matter of time before these mysterious creature fall the same fate as the Northern Right Whale.

Please visit our Action Alert Page to see how you can help.