Despite differences in the construction, porpoises and dolphins are confused all the time, and it is wrong. They both feed and protect their young and they are very smart. They both have blood warmers as any other mammal hence making them similar in that aspect as well. The same skin texture, gray, yet their character is very much different and the geometry of their nose is completely different too.
More astonishingly, both do not even like the same environment in the sea, and only one of the two mammals dwells in any waters deeper than the surface waters of the seas. Which animal likes the warmer climate of the sea? Which one is smarter? Let’s find out.
Comparing Porpoises vs. Dolphins
One must know that despite the similarity in the looks, in the ocean, a dolphin and a porpoise look very different. However, the chart below depicts only some of them and there are 49 kinds of dolphin and just 7 kinds of porpoise.
Thus, it is important to note that despite the dorsal fin and the looks from above the water – and it is actually similar – there are many physical and, especially, intellectual differences which will help you distinguish a porpoise from a dolphin easily.
These two classes of sea animals are warm blooded mammals that breathe air, however the main difference that distinguishes a porpoise from a dolphin is in looks. Dolphins are characterized by an elongated snout, relatively big mouths and a convex dorsal fin. The porpoises species is stout and has more rounded heads and considerably shorter snouts.
Let us analyse how these two mammals differ in a way.
A Notable Nose Porpoise vs Dolphin:
It sounds simple but one of the simplest ways to distinguish dolphins from porpoises is by looking at the shape of the former’s snout. It is also good to know that porpoise of any kind has a rather flat snout and there is no overhanging beak at all. The dolphin is different from the two other animals by possessing a relatively large and long nose which protrudes from the rest of the face for a few inches.
The rest of their face is much different as well as smiling and makes them quite pleasant to be around. Due to this nose, the dolphin was known to have a larger mouth than what was expected. They also possess a long and slender body and a much larger dorsal fin which in contrast with the corpulent and short body of the porpoise.
Natural Habitat Porpoise vs Dolphin:
Another seemingly obvious way that has been identified to differentiate amongst these animals is by the natural habitat. The main locality of these two swimming mammals is that both dolphin and porpoise will swim in coastal waters. It’s to be mentioned that, for its living, the porpoise needs the water no deeper than 650 feet, and it can be found in both fresh and saltwater. In more detail, it is a fish more commonly found in the Northern sectors of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, although some are to be found in the Black Sea.
And, depending on the species, dolphins have a much wider choice in the local environment. It gets adapted to a warmer climate; as such, they are found within the tropic or the temperate zones in far deeper regions than where porpoises would dare swim in.
Who’s Smarter Porpoise vs Dolphin:
Its wit is so highly acclaimed and, yet, is the dolphin any smarter than the porpoise? Both are extremely intelligent, however, as for this battle- Go Dolphin! They are far more inquisitive about the world and the people within it and they are much more sociable. But, well, the dolphins are really friendly, They even have nicknames for each other!
But don’t think that the porpoise isn’t going to put up a fight though! Their intelligence is controlled by a large brain as well and they have fantastic self consciousness like men.
Differences in Color Porpoise vs Dolphin:
Peculiarly, there are virtually no color differences between different species of porpoises, and there are the seven of them. They are mostly seen to be dressed in black, greys and whites most of the time during the performances. In fact the largest one looks almost identical to the orca whale. The orca whale seems like the most related to the Cetorhinus maximus.
In contrast, the body of the dolphins has many colors of what is now known to be among four dozen species. Some of which are really deep shades of gray and white, however others are navy blue, pink and brown. Some even have patterns that are different from one to another.
Sea Life Aggressors Porpoise vs Dolphin:
Of course everyone knows the dolphin as the happy, fun animal that people can interact with during whale watching or in usual large enclosures and which is shown in movies, but they are actually quite vicious. Porpoises can be hunted for entertainment by dolphins, which has quite an ugly picture painted of dolphins. They will bite and throw them and from what the hunters told me personally their teeth have left marks and cuts on dead porpoises which can be washed ashore. They have a sharp set which they use to leave rather big scratches along their whole length.
While porpoises on the other hand for instance have teeth which they could use in such aggression they do not exhibit the same behavior towards the sharks. Porpoises and dolphins are both predatory animals doing some fishing; their major diet consists of other sea animals. In terms of the food preference, porpoises feed on schooling fish that includes herring and mackerel. Porpoises are much more restricted than dolphins and therefore they feed on fish, squids, shrimps, jellyfishes and octopuses.
