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★ Spectacled porpoise (Phocoena dioptrica)
It's been quite a while since the last 'simple cetacean drawing', but we're back with a porpoise 
As promised this is a species that was suggested by you guys, thanks to Sophie Keizer for this one. Spectacled porpoises are amongst my favourite cetaceans, their markings are so pretty! And as per tradition, here's a little about their binomial name:
As promised this is a species that was suggested by you guys, thanks to Sophie Keizer for this one. Spectacled porpoises are amongst my favourite cetaceans, their markings are so pretty! And as per tradition, here's a little about their binomial name:Their genus name, Phocoena, is simply a Latinised form of 'phokaina', which is Greek for porpoise and (in one version or another) shared amongst all 6 species of porpoises. Their specific name, dioptrica, however is unique, and refers to a dioptra, which is a measuring instrument for angles and altitudes. The instrument does have rings, which may explain its use, though other sources state that dioptrica was more literally meant to mean 'spectacled'. Whichever is true, fact remains that both the binomial and English name refer to these porpoise's striking black eye patches, lined with white.
Despite it being their namesake, not all Spectacled porpoises actually show their spectacles. On some animals, like the one in the painting, the black eyepatch is more or less fused with the black cape, leaving only very faint trails of the normally so conspicuous white glasses.
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© 2017 - 2024 namu-the-orca
Comments28
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Very pretty!
I'm desperate for more footage of them alive, by the way. Google images is riddled with death when you look these up. There's only two or so full body photos of living animals on there. :c
I'm desperate for more footage of them alive, by the way. Google images is riddled with death when you look these up. There's only two or so full body photos of living animals on there. :c