Common Porpoise stranding

A dead Common (or Harbour) Porpoise was stranded on the beach near Widewater lagoon, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex on 27/11/09

The porpoise was identified as a female as mammary slits were visible. The porpoise was 173cm in length.

3 teeth were removed (in a dead specimen teeth fallout very easy). Teeth are routinely removed where possible from dead strandings which can be used used as a means of aging the animal. A section of a tooth reveals growth rings (under the microscope) similar to a tree which can be used to determine the age.

Grey Seal

Another Sussex seal sighting, reported as a young grey seal on the river Adur past Lancing College. This may actually be the common seal preiously reported in the River Adur, but wuld need photographs to confirm this.

Dead Seal

A dead seal was washed up on Shoreham, Beach, possibly an adult common seal. Animal was quiite decomposed.