porpoise

(also called ‘sea hog’)

{pronunciation: very close to the pronunciation of the word “purpose”; please, pay more attention to the pronunciation of the word ‘porpoise’ in the video you see on the right of this text}

a kind of animal – sea mammal – toothed whale – related to the dolphin and whale – a stout body, different colours depending on the species, with round head, blunt jaws with spade-shaped teeth, straight fin on the back; size: the smallest 5 feet in length and 60-85 Kg. in weight, the largest 8 feet in length and 150-225 Kg. in weight; feeds on (eats) fish, squid, snails, crabs and other small water animals found on the bottom of the seas; lives for 8-10 years; about 6 species found in the warm waters of the world, mostly in Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

male ~~ bull

female ~~ cow

baby ~~ calf

group ~~ pod; school; herd

voice (call) ~~ —

Some common porpoise are: harbour/common porpoise, Dall’s porpoise, spectacled porpoise, Burmeister’s porpoise, finless porpoise, vacuita

The differences between a porpoise and a dolphin:

Porpoises are closely related to dolphins.  In fact, porpoises are often called dolphins in some parts of the world.  However, there are some obvious differences between them.

Porpoises are smaller than dolphins.

Porpoises are without the forehead and snout which are very prominent in dolphins.

Porpoises have a triangle-shaped straight back fin, whereas dolphins have a rounder and slightly dog-eared fin on the back.

The flippers are larger in dolphins but smaller in porpoises.

The dolphins are more active and more likely to be found in the company of people than the porpoise.

Special Features:

Porpoises are hunted for food by people in some parts of the world.

Figures of Speech:

1.

porpoise  =  a fat person

2.

as fat as a porpoise

3.

like a porpoise playing before the storm [said of situation where merriment seems to be the introduction to trouble]

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