Vaquita
ExploreMammals
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.
Habitat: Coastal areas
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.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderCetaceaFamilyPhocoenidaeGenusPhocoena
Category
MammalsRarity
Epic
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
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
Ability
Underwater Sonar
Vaquita can use echolocation to navigate and find prey in murky waters, acting like an underwater sonar.
Ability
Deep Diver
Vaquita can dive to significant depths to hunt for bottom-dwelling fish and squid on the seafloor.
Ability
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
- Top 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
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
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Piscivorous
Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.
Echolocation
Echolocation is a biological sonar used by animals to navigate, hunt, and communicate by emitting sound waves and interpreting the echoes.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
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 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
How many babies does Vaquita usually have?
1
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
