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Animal World

Mammals

What is the difference between porpoises and dolphins?

Marine dolphins (family Delphinidae) and porpoises (family Phocoenidae) together comprise about 40 species. The chief differences between dolphins and porpoises occur in the snout and teeth. True dolphins have a beaklike snout and cone-shaped teeth. True porpoises have a rounded snout and flat or spade-shaped teeth.