Cetacea (Whales)

The harbour porpoise is the smallest cetacean to occur around the coast of Kent. It has a robust body with a small rounded head and no beak. Its small triangular dorsal fin is centrally placed. The body colour is dark grey merging to a lighter grey on the sides, with the underside being white. Calves and juveniles often have brownish backs. They have a quick surface-rolling action and when alarmed or moving at speed they can produce a distinctive splash that is similar to a ‘rooster tail’ in shape.

It is generally unobtrusive but breaching behaviour, where the whole body is launched from the water has been observed at Dungeness. In Kent waters, the only species that might be confused with the harbour porpoise is the bottlenose dolphin. It also has a greyish colour and central dorsal fin, but this fin and the whole animal is much larger with a pronounced beak. It also behaves more extrovertly.