Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Phocoenidae
- Genus
- Neophocaena
Habitat
Finless porpoises inhabit shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and rivers in the Indo-Pacific region, including areas around China, India, and Southeast Asia. They prefer warm, turbid waters less than 50 meters deep, often near mudflats or mangrove swamps. This species avoids open ocean and thrives in protected, inshore environments.
Diet
Finless porpoises primarily eat small fish such as anchovies and herring, as well as squid and shrimp. They hunt using echolocation, typically feeding in groups during the day in shallow waters. Their feeding behavior is opportunistic, adapting to locally abundant prey.
Behavior
Finless porpoises are generally solitary or form small groups of up to 10 individuals, showing less social complexity than dolphins. They are active during the day, spending time foraging and surfacing frequently to breathe, while resting at night. They exhibit territorial behavior in feeding areas but are not highly migratory, often staying within familiar coastal ranges.
Conservation Status
The IUCN lists the finless porpoise as Vulnerable, with populations declining due to bycatch in fishing gear and habitat loss from pollution and coastal development. Major threats include boat strikes and reduced prey availability from overfishing.