Chinese White Dolphins' Relative: The Finless Porpoise

 

The Finless porpoise is another species of marine mammal that lives in Hong Kong waters. Although they are recognised as relatives of the Chinese White dolphin, the differences between the two are quite distinctive. As a local resident in Hong Kong, sightings of the Finless porpoise is comparatively less because they have a dull body color and they are more shy and inactive. Moreover, they do not approach boats; seldom jump out of the water and spend most of their time underwater.

Porpoises are best studied acoustically, so instead of looking for them, researchers can listen for them by using underwater microphones, called hydrophones. The porpoise are very vocal and their chirpy buzzes, clicks, whistles and squeaks can be heard throughout the winter months. The porpoise seem to favour areas on the south of Lantau and Lamma Island and on the east coast they are often seen and heard near Cape d'Aguilar and Ninepins Island.

The Finless porpoise is much smaller than the Chinese White Dolphin, and does not have a dorsal fin, hence it's name. They are light grey in colour when they are young and when they get older they turn a deep grey. They do not have the distinctive long beak like other dolphins; in fact, they do not have a beak at all. Their teeth are blunt and spade-shaped. Porpoises of this species are known to live over 20 years which is not quite as long as the Chinese White Dolphins.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, together with Ocean Park, are conducting the first detailed study on the Finless porpoise and we hope to have more detailed information about them soon.