Vaquita
Phocoena sinus
Conservation Status
Critically EndangeredMammalia · Cetacea · Phocoenidae
About
The vaquita is a species of porpoise endemic to the northern end of the Gulf of California in Baja California, Mexico. Reaching a maximum body length of 150 cm (4.9 ft) (females) or 140 cm (4.6 ft) (males), it is the smallest of all living cetaceans. The species is currently on the brink of extinction, and is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List; the steep decline in abundance is primarily due to bycatch in gillnets from the illegal totoaba fishery.
Fun Fact
The vaquita is the world's rarest marine mammal — fewer than 10 survive in a tiny area of Mexico's Gulf of California — and it was only discovered by science in 1958.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Shallow waters of the Gulf of California
Diet
Piscivore
Lifespan
20-25 years
Threats
- Entanglement in Illegal Gillnets for Totoaba Fish
- Extremely Small Population
- Inadequate Enforcement