# Vaquita (*Phocoena sinus*) The vaquita is a small, shy porpoise that lives in the Gulf of California. It has a unique dark ring around its eyes and is known as the 'panda of the sea' for its distinctive appearance. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Epic - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Vaquita](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426200/objects/6493.jpg) ## Appearance The Vaquita is a small porpoise with a stocky body, dark grey on its back fading to a white belly. It has distinct dark rings around its eyes and a dark patch around its lips, giving it a unique masked appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Cetacea - **Family:** Phocoenidae - **Genus:** Phocoena ## Interesting facts - Their name means 'little cow' in Spanish, likely due to their round shape. - These shy animals are found ONLY in one small part of the Gulf of California. - Vaquita babies are born tail-first, a common trait for marine mammals. - Vaquitas are the smallest known cetacean, no bigger than a human teenager! ## Special abilities - **Underwater Sonar:** Vaquita can use echolocation to navigate and find prey in murky waters, acting like an underwater sonar. - **Deep Diver:** Vaquita can dive to significant depths to hunt for bottom-dwelling fish and squid on the seafloor. - **Stealth Swimmer:** Vaquita has a streamlined body that helps them move quietly and efficiently through the water. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 120-150 cm - **Weight:** 30-55 kg - **Lifespan:** 20-21 years - **Speed:** 22 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 310-330 days ## Diet & Feeding Vaquitas are small marine mammals that primarily eat fish and squid from the ocean floor. - **Primary Foods:** croakers, grunts, hake, squid, shrimp - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Great White Shark](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-white-shark) (*Carcharodon carcharias*) — Rarely predated upon, but a potential natural predator in the Gulf. - **Eats:** Largemouth Croaker (*Micropogonias megalops*) — A key bottom-dwelling fish species that Vaquitas hunt for food. - **Eats:** Pacific White Shrimp (*Penaeus stylirostris*) — Forages for this common shrimp and other crustaceans on the seabed. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Echolocation](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/echolocation): Echolocation is a biological sonar used by animals to navigate, hunt, and communicate by emitting sound waves and interpreting the echoes. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Vaquitas are very rare and need to be protected. It's important to keep their ocean home clean and free of pollution. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Vaquita? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Vaquita? 120-150 cm ### How much does Vaquita weigh? 30-55 kg ### How long does Vaquita live? 20-21 years ### How fast can Vaquita move? 22 km/h ### What does Vaquita eat? Vaquitas are small marine mammals that primarily eat fish and squid from the ocean floor. ### Where is Vaquita usually found? Coastal areas ### How does Vaquita hunt? Foraging ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Vaquita: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/vaquita)