Phocoenoides

Phocoenoides Skull Replica measures 11.6 inches. Phocoenoides Skull Replica is museum quality polyurethane cast, 2-part skull (separate cranium & jaw). Made in USA.

Our precise skull can be used as a teaching tool, museum skull exhibit, home decor skull, or office decor skull. 2-part skull (separate cranium & jaw).

Dall’s Porpoise or Phocoenoides is a species of porpoise endemic to the North Pacific. It is the largest of porpoises and the only member of the genus Phocoenoides. The species is named after American naturalist W. H. Dall.

Dall’s Porpoise or Phocoenoides is the only member of the genus Phocoenoides. They can be easily distinguished from other porpoises and cetacean species within their range. They have a wide, robust body, a comparatively tiny head, and no distinguished beak.

Their flippers are positioned at the front of the body and a triangular dorsal fin sits mid-body. Patterns of coloration are highly variable, but Dall’s Porpoises are mostly black, have white to grey patches on the flank and belly, and frosting on the dorsal fin and trailing-edge of the fluke.

They are the largest porpoise species, growing up to 7.5 ft. in length and weighing between 370 and 490 lb.

Sexual dimorphism is apparent in body size and shape, with mature males being larger, developing a deeper caudal peduncle, and having a dorsal fin that’s significantly angled forward in comparison to a female’s.

Dalls porpoises or Phocoenoides dalli are limited to the North Pacific: in the east from California to the Bering Sea and Okhotsk Sea, and in the west down to the Sea of Japan.

They have been sighted as far south as Scammon’s Lagoon in Baja California when water temperature was unseasonably cold.

Dall’s Porpoises are found in groups averaging between two and 12 individuals, but they have been seen in larger, loosely associated groups in the hundreds or even thousands of animals. They are known to associate with Pacific white-sided Dolphins and Short-finned Pilot Whales and have also been seen swimming alongside large whales.

Dalls Porpoise or Phocoenoides dalli are opportunistic, hunting a variety of surface and mid-water species. Common prey are mesopelgic fish, such as myctophids, and gonatid squid.

One of the main threats to Dall’s Porpoises is becoming entangled or captured in commercial fishing gear such as drift nets, gillnets, and trawls. This occurs in fisheries targeting groundfish, salmon, and squid in Canadian, Russian, Japanese, Alaskan, and other U.S. waters. Once entangled, porpoises can become anchored or may swim off with the gear attached for long distances, ultimately resulting in fatigue, compromised feeding ability, severe injury, which may lead to death.