Everything about The Spectacled Porpoise totally explained
The
Spectacled Porpoise (
Phocoena dioptrica) is a rarely seen member of the
porpoise family. The species is readily distinguished from other porpoises by a characteristic dark ring around the eyes, which gives the animals their name. This ring is commonly surrounded by a farther lighter ring.
Taxonomy
The Spectacled Porpoise was first described by Lahille in 1912 from a specimen found on a beach near
Buenos Aires. A skull later found in
Tierra del Fuego was initially thought to be another species, provisionally named
Phocoena dioptrica but the individual was later shown to be a spectacled porpoise and this name remains a synonym. The Latin word
dioptrica refers to the double eye rings characterizing the creature.
Physical description
The Spectacled Porpoise is a robust creature with a small head and no beak. Spectacled porpoises have distinctive black and white markings - black above and white underneath. They have black eyes with white rings or spectacles, and a white stripe on the upper surface of the
tail. They have a large rounded
dorsal fin, and no
beak. Like all porpoises, they've spade-shaped
teeth (as opposed to conical in dolphins). Newborn members of this species are about 80 cm with males growing up to 2.2 meters and females somewhat smaller. The age at which they reach maturity, as well as the porpoise's longevity, is unknown. They can grow up to 60-84 kg (130-185 lbs) in weight as adults.
Diet
porpoise feed on squid and fish and also octupus and shrimp and mollusks
Behavior
Spectacled porpoises live in groups of 1-25. They are fast, active swimmers, and they normally avoid
boats. Little else is known about their behavior as most of the information has been gleaned from stranded individuals.
Distribution and population
The Spectacled Porpoise is believed to be circumpolar in cool sub-Antarctic and low Antarctic waters. Many skeletons have been found on Tierra del Fuego and this area is believed to be a site of relatively high concentration. This species has been seen off
Brazil, the
Falkland Islands and
South Georgia in the Atlantic, off
Auckland,
Tasmania and south
Australia in the
South Pacific and
Heard Island and
Kerguelen in the southern
Indian Ocean. Individuals have very rarely been seen in the open sea. The southernmost sighting was in the
Drake Passage at 58° S.
The total population is unknown. The
IUCN lists it as a data deficient species in the Red List of Threatened Species.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Spectacled Porpoise'.
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