Dall's Porpoise

Dall's Porpoises under the water.

Photo/Greg Schechter

 

Dall's porpoise
(Phocoenoides dalli)

It's easy to mistake a Dall's porpoise for an Orca whale. The black and white markings are similar, but they're only about six feet long and have a much smaller dorsal fin. Look for their telltale rooster-tail spray as they slice through the water at up to 30 knots and play "chicken" before the bows of boats.

Learn more:

Alaska Fisheries Science Center