What is the Difference Between Dolphin and Porpoise?

Dolphins and porpoises are both cetaceans, which are toothed whales, and share some similarities. However, there are notable differences between the two, mainly in their appearance, fins, and figures. Here are the key differences between dolphins and porpoises:

1. Faces: Dolphins have elongated "beaks" and cone-shaped teeth, while porpoises have smaller mouths and spade-shaped teeth. Porpoises also have more rounded heads compared to dolphins.
2. Fins: Dolphins have hooked or curved dorsal fins, while porpoises have triangular dorsal fins. Porpoises cannot move their heads from side to side without the rest of their body following due to their dorsal fin's structure.
3. Figures: Dolphins generally have leaner bodies, while porpoises have more portly figures.
4. Size: Dolphins are usually larger than porpoises. The largest member of the dolphin family, the orca (killer whale), weighs between 3,000 to 12,000 pounds (1,360 to 5,400 kilograms) as adults, while porpoises are smaller.
5. Communication: Dolphins are more talkative than porpoises and make whistling sounds through their blowholes to communicate with one another underwater. Some scientists believe that porpoises do not make these whistling sounds due to structural differences in their blowholes.

Despite these differences, dolphins and porpoises share some common traits, such as being social, highly perceptive, and intelligent animals with complex brains. They both use sonar, or echolocation, to navigate underwater and hunt for prey like fish.

Comparative Table: Dolphin vs Porpoise

Here is a table comparing the differences between dolphins and porpoises:

Dolphins and porpoises are both intelligent marine mammals, but they have distinct differences in their appearance, behavior, and biology.