The harbor porpoise is one of the smallest marine mammals as well as one of the six species of porpoise and with three subspecies of its own.

Scientific Name – Phocoena phocoena

Classification – Phocoena

Gender Names – Male – bull; Female – cow; Baby – calf

Collective Noun – Herd, pod, school

Length/Size – 1.4 to 1.9 m (4.6 to 6.2 ft)

Weight – 61–76 kg (134-168 lb)

Top Speed – 8 mph

Life Expectancy – 20-24 years

Mating Season – Not clearly known

Gestation Period – 10 – 11 months

Special Features – The females are heavier than the males

Social Structure – Not much is known but often seen traveling in small pods of 4 – 5 individuals

Geographical Distribution – Northern temperate and subarctic coastal and offshore waters; varies between subspecies

Natural Habitat – In bays, estuaries, harbors, and fjords less than 650 ft (200 m) deep

World Population – 700,000

Conservation Status – Least Concern

Diet – Fish mostly herring, capelin, and sprat, also eat squid and crustaceans

Predators – Orcas (killer whales) and large sharks