Vaquita

Vaquita (Phocoena sinus) is a species of porpoise endemic to the northern part of the Gulf of California. The word "vaquita" is Spanish for "little cow". Other names include cochito (little pig), desert porpoise, and Gulf of California harbor porpoise.

Description

The vaquita is the smallest of all living cetaceans, reaching lengths of only 1.2 to 1.5 meters. It is distinguished by its dark rings around the eyes, patches on the lips, and a line from the dorsal fin to the mouth. Its dorsal surface is dark gray, sides pale gray and ventral surface white with long, light gray markings.

Habitat and Distribution

The vaquita is found in the extreme northern Gulf of California, in a small area less than 4,000 square kilometers. It prefers shallow water up to 50 meters deep, but can also be found in water up to 150 meters deep.

Behavior and Diet

Vaquitas are often solitary animals, although they can be seen in small groups of two to three individuals. They are shy and elusive, making them difficult to study in the wild. Their diet consists mainly of fish, squid, and crustaceans.

Conservation Status

The vaquita is the most endangered marine mammal in the world. It is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The main threat to the vaquita is incidental capture in gillnets from the illegal totoaba fishery.

Conservation Efforts

Several conservation efforts have been made to save the vaquita, including the establishment of a refuge area where gillnet fishing is banned, and the VaquitaCPR project, which aimed to capture and breed vaquitas in captivity. However, these efforts have not been successful in reversing the decline of the vaquita population.

See Also

• List of cetaceans
• Marine conservation

References

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