Harbour Porpoise

Name: Harbour Porpoise

Scientific name: Phocoena phocoena

Category: Marine

Nature Stars: 70

What are nature stars?

About: A small, dark, round-headed relative of the dolphins. Harbour Porpoises are most common closer to shore, in relatively shallow water, where they hunt fish often just beyond the waves. Usually seen singly or in small groups of up to 10 individuals. Much less acrobatic than dolphins, the most that you are likely to see of a Harbour Porpoise is the small dark fin and the rolling back, just noticeable above the water.

How to identify: Smaller and less energetic than dolphins, with a smaller, triangular dorsal fin.

Where: Found right round the British coastline.

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 80
• Agility: 80
• Rarity: 70
• Cute factor: 80
• Traveller: 80

Fantastic fact: There may be as many as 100,000 Harbour Porpoises around the shores of Britain, making it our commonest whale

Photograph credit: Niki Clear