(Phocoena spinipinnis)

Morphology

The Burmeister's Porpoise is another of the smaller species of this family.  The rotund body ranges in length from 1.4 to 1.8 meters.  The head is small and lacks both a forehead and beak.  The mouth is also small and turns upward slightly at the sides.   There is a slight indentation at the blowhole.

Color

This porpoise is dark grey to black in color on the dorsal side.  The ventral portion of the Burmeister's Porpoise is slightly lighter in color.  Like the Finless Porpoise, this species is also referred to as the "Black Porpoise", due to the fact that the animal turns completely black shortly after death.

Fins

The flippers on this porpoise are large.  The base of the flippers is broad, and the tips are blunt.  The fluke possesses a notch, and the tips of the fluke are slightly pointed.  The dorsal fin is low and has a straight leading edge and convex trailing edge.  The peak of the dorsal fin is blunt.  This arrangement of the dorsal fin gives the illusion that the fin is positioned backwards.  There are also three rows of tubercles running along the base of the front margin of the dorsal fin.

Behavior

This porpoise is one of the most elusive and poorly known members of the family Phocoenidae.   This species is also one of the most solidary of porpoises.  Burmeister's Porpoises are rarely seen in groups of more than eight individuals.  When approached by boats, these timid animals will scatter quickly.

Swimming Style

The Burmeister's Porpoise swims in quick, jerky movements but disturbs little water when it surfaces to breath.  Similarly, they are seldom, if ever, observed breaching.

Life History

Because this species has rarely been studied, very little is known about it's reproductive biology.  However, it is speculated that its calving season occurs in the autumn.

Diet

Little is also known about the diet of this species, though squid has been found in the stomachs of deceased Burmeister's Porpoises.

Distribution/Population

Population numbers for this porpoise are not known.  Burmeister's Porpoises inhabit the shallow temperate waters of coastal South America.  They are seen more on the Pacific coast than the Atlantic.  It is believed that the species comes very close to shore after dark.

Harms

Like other porpoises, this species is killed by accidental entanglement in gill nets.  The Burmeister's Porpoise is also exploited in Peru and Chile for bait and food.  The only known natural predator for this species is the killer whale.