Natural History Notes 



As the name implies, the harbor porpoise inhabits bays, 

 harbors, river mouths, and all the relatively shallow inshore 

 water between. Though it may travel in schools of nearly a 

 hundred individuals, it is more often seen in pairs or in small 

 groups of from 5 to 10 individuals. It often swims quietly at 

 the surface. It will not ride the bow wave and is very difficult 

 to approach closely by boat. 



May Be Confused With 



The harbor porpoise is not known to associate with 

 dolphins but is sometimes seen in close proximity to fin 

 whalesandhumpback whales off the Canadian coast in spring 

 and summer. Because of its northern inshore habitat, the 



harbor porpoise is not likely to be confused with any other 

 cetacean. 



Distribution 



Harbor porpoises are restricted to the colder waters of the 

 western North Atlantic Ocean. They have been reported 

 from North Carolina north to the Davis Straits and the waters 

 of southwestern Greenland. Within this range they are 

 probably most common in the Bay of Fundy and off southwest 

 Greenland. 



Stranded Specimens 



In addition to the characteristics described above for 

 living animals, stranded harbor porpoises can be readily 

 identified by the small spade-shaped teeth, 22-28 per jaw. 



Figure 168. — A harbor porpoise harpooned in Passamaquoddy Bay, New Bnu8wick. Harbor porpoises have from 23 to 28 small, spade-shaped teeth 

 ineachupperjawandfrom22 to26ineachlower jaw. Note the rounded head, the absence of a beak, and the triangular dorsal fin. iPhoto by D. E. 

 Gatkm.) 



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