2006-07-20 09:52:32 · 5 answers · asked by Jeane B 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
I do not want to copy and paste it... Can U click the following link for the different and similar of dolphins and porpoises...
http://nj.essortment.com/whatisdifferen_rkpa.htm
2006-07-20 19:58:04 · answer #1 · answered by Handsome 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dolphins and porpoises are cetaceans, which are mammals in the whale family. Dolphins and porpoises are considered to be small whales. All dolphins and porpoises are toothed whales, or odontocetes. However, dolphins and porpoises differ in the type of teeth they have. Dolphins have sharp conal teeth, while porpoises have teeth that are spade or shovel shaped. In fact, scientists generally use tooth shape as a way of classifying an animal as a dolphin or a porpoise. Dolphins generally tend to have a pointy mouth or "beak" and a curved dorsal fin, but there are exceptions.
2006-07-20 09:58:48 · answer #2 · answered by gospieler 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Firstly, to be absolutely clear (in response to the first answerer) Dolphins and Porpoises are whales (in as much as the term is scientifically used to descibe species of the order cetacea)
and ALL whales are mammals.
There are two separate families of dolphins: 'true' dolphins (delphinidae) and river dolphins (platanistidae). Porpoises are classified in the group phocoenidae.
Anyway, to the main point of your question - the difference is subtle: porpoises are smaller than dolphins.
1. Most dolphins have beaks (but not all - e.g. the killer whale which is actually a dolphin), but no porpoises do.
2. Dolphins have sharp teeth where as those of a porpoise are spade-like.
3. Their dorsal fin (the one on the back, that sticks out as in Jaws) is curved in dolphins but triangular in porpoises.
In addition to killer whales, pilot whales are also actually just big dolphins.
2006-07-20 11:55:58 · answer #3 · answered by the last ninja 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For a starting up aspect, keep in mind that neither "porpoise" nor "dolphin" is the call for purely one species. there are a range of species of each, a number of which look extensively diverse from one yet another, yet having shared evolutionary derivation. So that is not in basic terms a count of telling no matter if it really is a dolphin or a porpoise, yet as well what SPECIES of both it takes position to be. There are a pair belongings you are able to do: one million) discover what species are on your area. Many species are purely recent specifically geographical aspects ("tiers") even as some are ordinary 2) word marking (is all of it one colour, or does it have distingusihing valuable houses like spots, etc) 3) word the beak structure - if that is more suitable elongated, that is in all likelihood a dolphin. If that is flatter and shorter, that is in all likelihood a propoise. 4) use a field education guide or look it up on the internet.
2016-12-10 12:37:40 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dolphins are fish...porps are mammals.
The names have been confused over the years, but they are entirely different sea creatures...check out an encyclopedia for pics..pretty interesting.
2006-07-20 09:56:50 · answer #5 · answered by MsET 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋