What is Vaquita?

About Vaquita:

• The vaquita is a shy member and the smallest of the porpoise family.
• Scientific Name: Phocoena sinus
• Vaquitas are the most endangered of the world’s marine mammals. Less than 20 vaquitas remain in the wild.
• Distribution:
  • Vaquitas have the smallest range of any whale, dolphin, or porpoise.
  • They only live in the northern part of the Gulf of California, an area that is rich in fish and shrimp. 
  • They are most commonly sighted in shallow waters up to 50 metres deep.
• Features:
  • Vaquitas are the smallest cetaceans—the group that includes dolphins, porpoises, and whales—at 4 to 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 meters) long and 65 to 120 pounds (29.5 to 54.4 kg).
  • Although they do visually resemble dolphins, their closest relatives, vaquitas, have chunkier bodies and rounded heads with no snouts.
  • Vaquitas have no beak and are mostly dark gray with lighter gray undersides and black patches on their face.
  • Their dorsal fins are unique in that they are taller and wider than most other porpoises.
  • A dark ring around the eyes is another striking feature.
  • Known for their elusive nature, vaquitas tend to shy away from boats and human activity.
  • Vaquitas communicate using echolocation (or sonar) by emitting high-frequency clicks.
• The decrease in the vaquita population is also related to the totoaba, a large fish that also only lives in the Gulf of California.
  • Because totoaba and vaquita are similar in size, gillnets illegally set for totoaba are the deadliest for vaquitas.
• Conservation Status: Critically Endangered