Written by Alyssa Brekke.

The vaquita Phocoena sinus is a small porpoise and the most endangered cetacean, an order of aquatic mammals that includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. It is only found in the northern Gulf of California, Mexico (Rojas-Bracho et al. 2006) and has the most limited geographic range of any cetacean. This porpoise is unique in that it can survive in water temperatures ranging from 14°C to 36°C (52.7°F to 96.8°F) (Hohn et al. 1996).

The vaquita was relatively unknown until 1958 when it was described for the first time (Rojas-Bracho et al. 2006). In fact, most information known about the behavior of this creature is based on only about fifty-five sightings (Hohn et al. 1996)! Black eye patches and lip patches (Brownell et al. 2006), a dark gray back, and a light gray belly distinguish this porpoise from its relatives (Rojas-Bracho et al. 2006). Vaquitas can weigh up to 55 kg (121 lbs) and reach up to 1.5 m (5 ft) with females being larger than males (WWF 2009). These solitary animals live over twenty years provided large sharks or killer whales do not eat them. Feeding on small fish and squid, vaquita spend most of their time under water and rarely splash or jump (Rojas-Bracho et al. 2006).

On the critically endangered species list since 1996 (Rojas-Bracho et al. 2006), it is estimated that there are only 150 vaquita left in the world. The decline in population numbers is due to the fact that they are often accidently caught, about seventy-eight each year, in nets intended for other species such as shrimp (Jaramillo-Legorreta 2007). Unfortunately, conservation has been difficult as captive breeding is nearly impossible due to various complications. A refuge, or designated area where fishermen are not allowed to fish, has been made, but it is difficult to enforce (Jaramillo-Legorreta 2007). It will take many years for the vaquita population to return to high numbers as they do not reproduce every year (Hohn et al 1996), but hopefully, it will be restored so that many generations will be able to enjoy these beautiful animals.




Want to Learn More?

Brownell, R. L., Findley, L. T., Vidal, O., Robles, A., and Manzanilla, S. N. 2006. External morphology and pigmentation of the vaquita, Phocoena sinus (Cetacea:Mammalia). Marine Mammal Science 3:22-30.

Hohn, A. A., Read, A. J., Fernandez, S., and Findley, L. T. 1996. Life history of the vaquita, Phocoena sinus (Phocoenidae, Cetacea). Journal of Zoology 239:235-251.

Jaramillo-Legorreta, A., Rojas-Bracho, L., Brownell, R. L., Read, A. J. Reeves, R. R., Ralls, K., and Taylor, B. L. 2007. Saving the vaquita: immediate action, not more data. Conservation Biology 21:1653-1655.

Rojas-Bracho, L., Reeves, R. R., and Jaramillo-Legorreta, A. 2006. Conservation of the vaquita Phocoena sinus. Mammal Review 36:179-216.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF). 2009. Vaquita: smallest cetacean restricted to very small area. WWF, Washington, D. C. Available from http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/finder/vaquita/vaquita.html (accessed October 2009).

Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World

Freshwater Ecoregions of the World

Marine Ecoregions of the World







This page was created from an environmental education writing project generated in the Fall 2009 Bio245 Conservation Biology class. Content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Gustavus Adolphus College.

Mexico