Top Porpoise, bottom Dolphin
| Feature | Dolphin Characteristic | Difference in a Porpoise |
| The nose |
A dolphin usually
has a pointed snout (beak) |
A porpoise snout is short and blunt
like a cartoon fish sketch (never strongly pointed) |
|
The fin (Some species of both have no fin on their back) |
The leading edge of the fin on a dolphin's back
is shaped like a curling wave (Called the dorsal fin) |
The leading edge of a porpoise's back fin is
straight. The porpoise's fin is also triangular like a shark's |
|
The teeth | Dolphins have pointed cone-shaped teeth |
Porpoise teeth are flat, spade shaped, with upper edges that are long and sharp |
| Size | Dolphins grow up to 12 feet long | Porpoises are usually less than 7 feet long |
| Shape | Dolphins are longer and sleeker in shape | Porpoises are shorter and more compact |
| Sounds | Dolphins produce sounds we can hear (and are talkative!) | Porpoise sounds are inaudible to us |
| Behavior | Dolphins have much less fear of humans - will ride the waves alongside boats | Porpoises are shy - you are much less
likely to see one - wild or captive. Rarely seen at surface unless up to breathe. |
| Groups | Dolphins live in large groups | Porpoises live in pods of 2 - 4 |
| Lifespan | Dolphins can live for more than 50 years | Porpoises do not live long past the age of 15 |
Dolphins are some of the only animals known to have sex for reasons other than reproduction.