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"(Harbor Porpoise) Phocoena phocoena"
Description: . . . a small robust body which tapers toward the tail. The flippers are small, dark and slightly rounded; . . . The back and dorsal cape are black or dark grey, as are the lips and chin, merging through a lighter grey on the flanks to a white belly. . . between 1.4-1.9m in length, and weigh a maximum of 65kg.
Recognition at sea: With its small dorsal fin and small body size, [it] is easy to identify.
Behaviour: . . . tend to travel in small groups of 2-5 animals, with larger units of 12 not uncommon. They move by 'rolling' slowly forward in the water, and are not as acrobatic as other small cetaceans. They also remain still, especially at night, and it is thought this is how they remain undetected by their main natural predator - the shark.
Longevity: Most die before they reach the age of 8.