Dall's Porpoise of Alaska
The Dall's porpoise is easily identified by it's very unique black
and white markings and is named for the naturalist who first discovered
them, W.H. Dall. They are mostly black on the upper body with large,
oval shaped white sides and bellies. The head is rounded and small
while the body is muscular and powerfully built. The colorations
vary with geographic regions as well as the stage of life. Adults
have more distinct coloration.
The Dall's porpoise is definitely the fastest swimmer in the small
cetacean category with speeds of 34 miles per hour (30 knots) being
reported. They are attracted by fast moving vessels and love to
dash at high speeds often seen bowriding alongside. This fast swimming
creates a rooster tail of water spray which is unique to the Dall's
porpoise. We've personally enjoyed watching them swim along side
our boat in Resurrection Bay in Seward Alaska as well as alongside
our cruise ship in the Inside Passage.
These fun-loving playful porpoises can only be found in the North
Pacific Ocean where they prefer cooler water temperatures between
36 and 60 degrees (2C-15C). Many are year round residents of their
region. These regions range from up north in the Bering Sea and
Alaska to as far south at Baja California and as far east as the
Sea of Japan.
Their small, narrow mouth has about 20 small teeth in each side
of the upper and about 22 teeth on each side of the lower jaw.
Protruding, rigid growths separate each tooth often called “gum
teeth”. These small teeth and horny growths help the porpoise
grasp slippery food such as squid. The Dall porpoise feeds mostly
at night eating about 30 pounds of food each day. Their diet varies
depending on what's available, such as squid and small schooling
fish like herring, capelin and sardines. They have also been seen
feeding in the deep waters of the Pacific ocean on deep-sea smelt
and lantern fish.
They congregate in groups of as many as 200 during feeding times
but usually travel in smaller groups of 10 to 20. If you look close
they can often be spotted swimming with Pacific white-sided dolphins
or pilot whales.
Dall's Porpoise
Common name: Dall's Porpoise
Scientific Name: Phocoenoides dalli
Length: 6-7 feet for males and females with a maximum length of
8 feet.
Weight: Average 270 pounds for both males and females.
Average life expectancy for adults: 20 years
Travel speeds: up 30 knots.
Habitat: Found only in the North Pacific, ranging from Baja California
to Alaska and the Bering Sea and over to Japanese waters.
Diet: Squid, herring, sardines, capelin, deep-sea smelt and lantern
fish.
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