Vaquita

Overview

The vaquita is the world's smallest and most endangered cetacean, found only in a small area of the northern Gulf of California in Mexico. Fewer than a handful of confirmed individuals are believed to remain in the wild, making it one of the most critically threatened marine mammals on Earth.

Appearance

It has a small, compact body with dark rings around its eyes and dark patches on its lips that give it a distinctive, almost painted facial appearance. Unlike dolphins, it has a small, rounded head with no pronounced beak, and a proportionally large, triangular dorsal fin relative to its body size.

Habitat & Distribution

The vaquita is found in ocean habitats.

Diet & Behavior

Diet: Carnivore — Meat-eating animals that hunt, scavenge, or fish for prey, ranging from big cats to snakes and birds of prey.

Vaquitas are shy, elusive animals that avoid boats and rarely breach the surface dramatically, making them extremely difficult to study or even observe in the wild. They are typically found alone or in small groups of two to three, feeding on small fish and squid in the shallow, murky waters of their limited range.

Interesting Facts

• 1

  The vaquita is the smallest of all cetaceans, and also the most endangered.

• 2

  It is found in only one small area of the world: the northern Gulf of California, Mexico.

• 3

  The main threat to its survival is accidental entanglement in illegal gillnets set for another endangered species, the totoaba fish.

• 4

  Distinctive dark rings around its eyes and patches on its lips give the vaquita an almost painted facial appearance.

• 5

  Population surveys suggest as few as 10 individuals may remain in the wild, making every sighting scientifically significant.

Gallery

Vaquita FAQs