4.5 What is the difference between dolphins and porpoises?
Description
This article is from the Dolphin
FAQ, by Jaap van der Toorn
4.5 What is the difference between dolphins and porpoises?
Dolphins and porpoises belong to different whale families. The most obvious differences are:
- dolphins have a falcate (hook-shaped) dorsal fin, whereas porpoises have a triangular dorsal fin.
- dolphins have conical teeth; the teeth of of porpoises are spatula shaped.
- most dolphin species have a distinct beak. Porpoises don't, giving their head a more rounded, blunt shape.
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