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What is a Harbor Porpoise?

By SamK on February 15, 2024
Category(s)
Harbor Porpoise

Harbor Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) is a small marine mammal that is part of the family Phocoenidae. It's one of the smallest marine mammals and is notable for its shy nature and preference for coastal areas near temperate to subarctic waters. Here is a brief classification list for the Harbor Porpoise:

Classification of the Harbor Porpoise:

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetacea
Suborder: Odontoceti (toothed whales)
Family: Phocoenidae (porpoises)
Genus: Phocoena
Species: Phocoena phocoena

This classification highlights the Harbor Porpoise's place within the broader context of marine mammals, specifically within the toothed whales category, which includes animals known for their echolocation abilities, a trait also possessed by the Harbor Porpoise.