What do spectacled porpoise eat

Physical characteristics and Appearance The spectacled porpoise is easy to identity due to its highly distinctive coloration. Its eyes are surrounded by dark rings resembling spectacles that give it its name. They are fast swimmers and move quickly to avoid interaction with boats.

Diet and Hunting Methods The diet of the spectacled porpoise is mostly a matter of speculation, since the species is so infrequently observed. Little is known regarding the hunted methods they use to actually capture their food. Habitat and Migration The spectacled porpoise has been observed throughout the northern reaches of the Southern Ocean and in coastal areas and islands of southern South America and New Zealand, including in estuaries and inland channels.

Social Structure and Communication Compared to other cetacea species like the bottlenose dolphin , the spectacled porpoise is fairly solitary. When approached by boats or other human vessels they may quickly swim away to avoid contact.

Most observations have indicated that the animal lives alone or in small groups of two or more. Jefferson, T. Webber FAO species identification guide. Marine Mammals of the World. Reports of the International Whaling Commission. Klinowska, M. Leatherwood, S. Reeves San Francisco: Sierra Club Books.

Peddemors, V. Personal Communications. Harcourt Personal Communication. Rice, D. Marine mammals of the world. Systematics and distribution. Special publication number 4. Kansas: Society for Marine Mammalogy. Rosel, P. Perrin Phylogenetic relationships among the true porpoises Cetacea: Phocoenidae. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. Ross, G. Shirihai, H. The Complete Guide to Antarctic Wildlife. About us Contact us. Phocoena dioptrica — Spectacled Porpoise.

Other Commonwealth Documents. Distribution Map. Australian Distribution. Global Distribution. Surveys Conducted. Population Information. Land Tenure of Populations. Life Cycle. Survey Guidelines. Threat Abatement and Recovery.

Mitigation Approach. Management Documentation. Species Profile References. No Threat Abatement Plan has been identified as being relevant for this species. Walker's Mammals of the World. Tinker, S. Whales of the World. Honolulu, Hawaii: Bess Press Inc.. To cite this page: Nixon, J. Disclaimer: The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students. ADW doesn't cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe.

Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While ADW staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control.

Phocoena dioptrica spectacled porpoise Facebook. Geographic Range Spectacled porpoises are rarely seen and are found only in the oceans of the southern hemisphere. Behavior This species does not travel in large groups.

Perception Channels tactile echolocation chemical Food Habits The food preferences of spectacled porpoises are not well known. Coffey, Positive Impacts food Economic Importance for Humans: Negative Spectacled porpoises have no recorded adverse affects on humans. Tinker, Conservation Status Not enough information is known about this species in order to list it as endangered. Glossary Atlantic Ocean the body of water between Africa, Europe, the southern ocean above 60 degrees south latitude , and the western hemisphere.

Pacific Ocean body of water between the southern ocean above 60 degrees south latitude , Australia, Asia, and the western hemisphere. Read more Classification Kingdom Animalia animals Animalia: information 1 Animalia: pictures Animalia: specimens Animalia: sounds Animalia: maps Chordata: information 1 Chordata: pictures Chordata: specimens Chordata: sounds Vertebrata: information 1 Vertebrata: pictures Vertebrata: specimens Vertebrata: sounds Mammalia: information 1 Mammalia: pictures Mammalia: specimens Mammalia: sounds Cetacea: information 1 Cetacea: pictures Cetacea: specimens Geography Continents.

South America, Oceania, Antarctica. Biome Oceanic pelagic zone. Climate zones Polar. Habits and Lifestyle Because of being quite a rare and insufficiently explored species, little is known about the biology and habits of the Spectacled porpoise. Group name. Aquatic, Precocial. Diet and Nutrition There is very scarce information on the diet of the Spectacles porpoise, though the animal is thought to be piscivorous and share similar diet with other porpoises, consuming fish, squid, and crustaceans.

Diet Carnivore. Data deficient DD. Population Population threats The Spectacled porpoise suffers from human activity along with many other cetacean species: gill nets as well as trawling and stranding pose a serious threat to the population of this animal.

Fun Facts for Kids Like all porpoises except for the Dall's porpoise , these animals possess tubercles or small bumps, which may be located either on their back or on the front edge of their dorsal fin or dorsal ridge.

The purpose of these bumps is unknown, though they are thought to be associated with hydrodynamics. The upper jaw of this porpoise holds 17 - 23 teeth, while the lower jaw has 17 - 20 teeth. Porpoises can see. But because of the low visibility underwater, these animals use echolocation, which is a sonar system, helping them navigate the ocean and find food.

They give out high-frequency clicks, which, resounding, bounce back to them and bring information on the size, location and speed of a given object in just a split second.