A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

What is the difference between dolphins and porpoises?

Best Answers

Dolphins have longer noses, bigger mouths, more curved dorsal fins, and longer, leaner bodies than porpoises.The Northeastern Offshore Spotted Dolphin, shown here, has a falcate, or sickle-shaped dorsal fin and light spotting on the belly. read more

Dolphins and porpoises have many similarities, one of which is their extreme intelligence. Both have large, complex brains and a structure in their foreheads, called the melon, with which they generate sonar (sound waves) to navigate their underwater world. It is likely that more (or fewer) differences between dolphins and porpoises will be revealed as researchers continue to investigate these intriguing sentinels of the sea. read more

Dolphins have a curved, or hooked, fin, while porpoises are equipped with a triangular one, NOAA says. "Generally speaking, dolphin bodies are leaner, and porpoises' are portly," according to NOAA. [Deep Divers: A Gallery of Dolphins] And dolphins take home the prize for the more gregarious of the cetacean groups. read more

Their are vast similarities and differences between dolphins and porpoises are astounding, to the naked and untrained eye, most common people would be unable to distinguish one from the other; this is generally because they are related. read more

Encyclopedia Research

Wikipedia:

Related Types