HistoryGal
source of the photo above: https://www.24heures.ch/savoirs/environnement/marsouin-pacifique-danger/story/24834596
I realize that I am posting more posts on this crazy alphabet challenge than one per week. I hope nobody minds (especially the creator of this challenge).
This post features the letter M with this word « Marsouin » which is a porpoise in English. This particular animal is a vertebrae marine mammal. The common porpoise (cetacea) is the most known of the family Phocoenidae and was often referred in the old French as « cochons des mers » or “marine pigs” and sometimes as « dieux de la mer » translated in English as “gods of the seas”.
Porpoises are in reality small toothed whales and are closely related to oceanic dolphins. The difference between the two resides first in their weight and length. Dolphins (who are from the Delphinidae family) are generally longer and bigger than « marsouins ». In fact a porpoise is about one half the lenght and weight of a dolphin.
The second difference resides in the form of the beak and head. The dolphin has a longer and finely chiseled beak while the porpoise’s head and beak are more rounded out.
The third difference is best seen in the teeth of both these marine mammals. The dolphins has conical teeth while the « marsouins » have teeth that look more like spatulas or spades.
Finally the fourth difference is seen in the fins. The porpoise’s pectoral fins are smaller than the dolphin’s. The dorsal fins of the « marsouin » is straight and more rectangular resembling almost a shark’s dorsal fin while the dolphin’s dorsal fin is bigger, in a wave form and more curved towards the back of the dolphin.
Below is a picture of the porpoise on the left and a dolphin on the right.
<a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-snax-placeholder="Source" class="snax-figure-source" href="https://www.blog-les-dauphins.com/quelle-difference-entre-dauphin-et-marsouin/" target="_blank">https://www.blog-les-dauphins.com/quelle-difference-entre-dauphin-et-marsouin/</a>
Another interesting aspect of the « marsouin » is that it has evolved from the same prehistoric Artiodactyla, notably the Artiofabula as the hippopotamus tylopoda and is thus remotely related to this big beast of Africa.
Porpoises mostly reside in the temperate or cold water of the Northern Atlantic just as much on the Northern American hemisphere as in Europe. Their diet consists of fish including herring, capelins, certain crustaceans and sardines. They are also known to eat algae. Porpoises are mostly hunted by sharks and orca whales. But their most dangerous predator remains humans who brings along pollution and fishing nets where the pourpoise sometimes gets caught but also hunts « marsouins » for their different organs (like their bladder in Chinese medicine just like the notation below the above picture) and their meat. It is to be noted that porpoises have been, so far, unable to survive or breed in zoos.
The French word « marsouin » was borrowed from the old scandinavian word “marsvin” (sea pigs). The oldest French word for the « marsouin » was « pourpois » (meaning pig-fish) which later evolved in the English word “porpoise”.
The pronounciation of the word « marsouin » is pretty simple. The first part of the word « mar » is pronounced just like it is written and sounds just like the “mar” in “margin”. The second part « sou » sounds just like the “sou” of the word soufflé. The last part « in » is just like “in” but sounding more like “end” (without the d) and without elocuting the letter n.
Well that’s it for the letter M. See you again in the next installment of the crazy alphabet challenge with the letter N.
Such cute animals! It’s sad when people are an animals’ most dangerous predator.
I agree with you 100%. Man is most of the animals’ worst enemy. But Mother Nature is also kicking in with the melting of the North Pole. Polar bears are really suffering… Thanks for visiting and commenting and up voting…
So that is the difference. Thanks. The dolphins were the ones in the film version of Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy?
Oops sorry I never saw that movie. But I would have to say yes. Dolphins are often used in movies, as therapy animals and in aquatic zoos etc … I am happy I presented the difference between a « marsouin » and a « dauphin ». Thanks for visiting and reading and up voting.
I checked out the movie again. Just a few clips. You are right. You have excellent deductive reasoning.
I met another animal to the point. Thanks for sharing new information for me.
You are welcome Vidocka. An orignal or moose is indeed a big and impressive animal. Thanks for reading and commenting and up voting.
they look like friendly beasts
Apparently they are. Plus they seem to have a great smile just like their counterparts the dolphins. Thanks for dropping in and reading and commenting and up voting.
if only humanity were friendly…
Cute creatures, I like the trouble you took to ensure right pronunciation .
Well being French Canadian born and raised I still speak French bit with a lot of anglicised words. So at least I want to present a good French lesson. Thanks for taking the time to read and commenting and up voting.
I love dolphins but I didn’t know the difference. Thank you.
Dolphins are extremely intelligent and very sociable. So is the Marsouin. I am happy you enjoyed this little post and thanks for commenting and up voting.
Something new for me! All this time I only knew dolphins!
I am glad I clarified and introduced you to a new animal. Thanks for reading and commenting and up voting.
You are very much welcome, dear friend.
Thanks for the explanation and difference..of porpoise and dolphin
I am glad I clarified the difference. Thanks for visiting and commenting and up voting.
The cover picture sealed my reading this. I love it!
Thanks for the great information. The variation of the theme is my favorite part of reading these!!!!
I knew I was going to get your attention with this particular M. Thanks for reading and commenting and up voting. Stay tuned for the letter N. It is unique and really cute…
the picture of M was a huge draw!
I always learn something form your posts. Love these animals even more now.
I agree they are beautiful creatures. I was kind of happy to see my post finally. Just wait till you see the letter N. It is quite a different type of critter. Thanks for visiting and commenting and up voting…
I wouldn’t have noted the difference between porpoise and dolphins. Thanks for this info. I’m learning about new animals.
Thank you so much for your nice and uplifting comment. I appreciat your reading time, comment and up vote as always…
I doubt they have these for marine animals shows. They have usually dolphins, orca whales and seals but the porpoise (« marsouins ») most of the time do not survive or reproduce in captivity. At least that is what I read… Thanks for reading, commenting and up voting. I have had that post in suspension for about a week now. It is nice to see that it is published finally.
Yes, nice to see posts getting out …
Mine was in the Q to be published for quite a while too…
I probably remember wrongly since it has been awhile since I last visited the zoo/ocean park :p
Nice entry! They have these creatures for animal shows, if I’m not wrong.
For the challenge, everyone at their own pace!
So no worries about posting more or less! 🙂
Sorry alibb please see my reply above under my name HistoryGal. I keeo on making this mistake witht my big fat fingers on a little tablet keyboard…