Identification: Length to 6 ft. Strikingly marked: Black except for a large white area across the vent region and extending slightly over halfway up the sides, the front edge about even with front of dorsal fin: 23-27 teeth on each side of upper and lower jaws. Dall's Porpoises have a narrow mouth with black or white lips, and steeply sloping forehead. The body is stocky, with a pronounced ridge above and below the tail stock. The flippers are small and close to the head, the flukes are edged with white, and the dorsal fin is triangular with a broad base and hooked tip. It is often patched with gray-white. The oceanic Dalli-type has distinct white patch on the belly and flanks; it starts some way behind the flippers. The True-type is slimmer, and the white flank/belly color begins above the flippers. Dall's Porpoises measure between 5 - 7 feet in length, and weigh between 250 - 500 pounds.

Range: Pacific coast, south rarely to Long Beach, California

Recognition at sea: This porpoise has a distinctive 'rooster tail' splash and a triangular, white-tipped dorsal fin, both of which should aid identification.

Habitat: Dall's Porpoises frequent water with a surface temperature between 37°F and 68°F. The Dalli-type inhabits open ocean, the True-type, more coastal waters.

Food & Feeding: These porpoises take fish and squid in the open ocean, and schooling fish in coastal areas.

Behavior: Dall's Porpoises have been seen in groups of between 10-20 individuals, though aggregations of several thousand are not uncommon. When swimming fast, they create a V-shaped, forwardly directed splash known as a 'rooster tail'.

Longevity: Up to 10 years. In extreme cases, up to 20.