GERMANY ~ Porpoise Whale - Wadden Sea National Park - UNESCO ~

... Wonderful view of Germany's only whale species and with beautiful matching whale postmark💙...  the most common whale in the North Sea and the only whale that occurs regularly in the Wadden Sea... but its population is decreasing... they are not so easy to spot... unlike other whales, porpoises rarely jump out of the water... from land or from a boat, the most likely time to spot them is in the winter... with two great different special First day postmarks... another little gem for my whale collection👍...Thanks so much Dustin!! ✿乂◕‿◕乂

Photo: Armin Maywald
"The Wadden Sea" the largest unbroken system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world.(Germany, Netherlands and Denmark).

The total population of Porpoise whales in the North Sea is estimated at about 345.000 animals (2017). The density within the area changes seasonally. While densities increase along the coast of the Netherlands and Lower Saxony during late winter and early spring, high summer densities are observed in the eastern part of the German Bight along the coast of Denmark and Schleswig-Holstein.

Size:maximum 190 cm (at birth 70-80 cm)
Weight: up to 60 kg (at birth around 5 kg)
Color: Dark gray back, light grey sides with dark spots, white chin and bell
Age: 12 to 15 years
Food: fish, such as gobies, herring, sprat, mackerel, whiting and cod; cuttlefish, crabs, worms and snails
Movement: dive: 4-6 minutes down to 200 meters deep speed: maximum 23 kilometers per hour Enemies: man: tangled in nets, loss of habitat, pollution and acoustic noise. animals: grey seals, dolphins and killer whales
Reproduction: maturity: 3-6 years old frequency: once every 1-2 years 1 calf pregnancy: 10-11 months nursing: 7-8 months

Stamps

 Endangered Animals - Harbor Porpoise
(Issued 02-01-2019)