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Thread: Young porpoise? Washed up on Thurso Beach.

  1. #1

    Default Young porpoise? Washed up on Thurso Beach.

    I'm not sure and the picture isn't very clear or nice to look at - sorry. I think it was about 2 foot long.

    Should I be letting anyone know if I find something like this?


  2. #2

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    From that picture, it looks more like a salmon, tho its not very clear. Probably attacked by a seal.

  3. #3

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    No, wasn't a salmon.

    The picture really is quite bad - I only had a wide angle lens with me which isn't very good for close-ups....

    It was very round - like a tuna fish. But the features were definately whale / porpoise like.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
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    Lybster
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    New Born Porpoise are about 26 inches.
    Triangular Dorsal.
    A blow hole (not gills)
    Tail fluke of a porpoise is horizontal unlike a fish which is vertical.
    Any help ?
    Colin

  5. #5

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    Quote Originally Posted by Seabird View Post
    New Born Porpoise are about 26 inches.
    Triangular Dorsal.
    A blow hole (not gills)
    Tail fluke of a porpoise is horizontal unlike a fish which is vertical.
    Any help ?
    Colin
    Only thing I can positively say is that inches are about right. this is the only other photo I took. I can't see a blow hole, but I don't see any gills?


  6. #6
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    Confirmed as one of last years young harbour porpoise. will see if i can find out more.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tugmistress View Post
    Confirmed as one of last years young harbour porpoise. will see if i can find out more.
    Very interested in the results with this one Paula.
    I thought it may have been an early new born or aborted calf.
    New calfs start appearing around April.
    I might add there was a very small Porpoise washed up on the otherside of the Moray Firth this week also.
    First year calf will stick to mum like glue with dad very close by, so the cause of death is more than likely an accident or infection of some sort ????
    Porpoise have been in decline for some years, baby deaths is the last thing needed at this time.

    Colin

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