Scientific Name

Phocoena spinipinnis

Conservation Status (IUCN)

Near Threatened (may be considered threatened with extinction in the near future)

Range

Within 50 km of shore of South America. From Northern Peru, down the west coast of all of Chile, through Tierra Del Fuego, and up the east coast of the continent along Argentina, Uruguay, and the southernmost parts of Brazil. Atlantic and Pacific populations may be distinct from one another, but further study is needed.

Identifying Features

Dark body, black to dark grey with some light streaks on the chin and belly. Darker eye patches, lips, and chin-to-flipper stripes have been described, with the chin-to-flipper stripes being asymmetrical and vary according to individual.

Tubercles in Phocoena spinipinnis, the Burmeister's porpoise
A Burmeister’s porpoise in Chile, with clearly visible tubercles on the leading edge of the dorsal fin that have given the species its scientific name. Photo by Sonja Heinrich.

The dorsal fin is far back along the body, and rises at a shallow angle with a straight to convex trailing edge. There are tubercles (small rounded nodes) on the leading edge of the dorsal fin, which is the characteristic that has given the species its scientific name.

10-23 teeth in each upper row and 14-23 teeth in each lower row, spade shaped as in all porpoises.

Behavior and Ecology

Groups of up to 70 individuals have been seen, but most sightings are of groups of less than 6. They are inconspicuous animals that surface with very little disturbance to the water.

A Burmeister's porpoise surfacing
A Burmeister’s porpoise surfaces with very little disturbance to the water. Photo by Sonja Heinrich.

Reproduction

Gestation lasts 11-12 months, with the population in Northern Peru calving mostly in late summer to early fall.

Lifespan

Insufficient information is available to determine an average lifespan.

Diet

Squid and shrimps, as well as anchovies, hake, and other demersal and pelagic fish species.

Conservation Concerns

Burmeister’s porpoise are shot and harpooned for use as crab bait in southern Chile, and caught deliberately and as by-catch in Peruvian waters (deliberate catch for use as shark bait or for human consumption).

Further Reading and References

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