Black sea harbour porpoise

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This subspecies (Phocoena phocoena relicta) is common in the Azov, Black, Marble and Aegean Seas. The only representative of the family in the fauna of these areas. It is considered a narrow-range relict subspecies. This dolphin is often called the "guinea pig" because of its thick, up to four centimeters, layer of subcutaneous fat and noisy breathing, similar to "grunting."

## Biology of the species

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Adult animals are usually only 1.3-1.5 metres long and weigh about 30 kg. Females are slightly larger than males, which is not typical for other dolphins. From other dolphins, it easily differs by a short head with a rounded blurred face. The low dorsal fin has a triangular shape with wide base, pectoral fins have rounded ends. The back of the body is dark grey, sometimes almost black, the abdomen is light. Females which reach adulthood (4 years), reproduce in late spring - early summer. Pregnancy lasts 9 to 11 months, females bring one cub, which is born with his tail in front and must immediately rise to the surface for its first breath. This subspecies faces pressures from marine traffic.[1]

## References

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1. ^ "Akkaya Bas A, Christiansen F, Amaha Öztürk A, Öztürk B, McIntosh C (2017) The effects of marine traffic on the behaviour of Black Sea harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena relicta) within the Istanbul Strait, Turkey. PLoS ONE 12(3): e0172970". journals.plos.org. Retrieved 15 January 2025.