Fauna
Mammal · GBIF taxon 2440665

Vaquita

Phocoena sinus

Also known as Gulf of California Porpoise, Cochito

Vaquitas navigate the turbid, shallow waters of the upper Gulf of California using high-frequency echolocation clicks to hunt bottom-dwelling teleost fish and squid. They live elusive lives alone or in small mother-calf pairs, surfacing quietly with minimal splash and avoiding motorized watercraft. With only a handful of individuals remaining, their survival depends entirely on the elimination of illegal gillnets.

MarineEndemic
Vaquita reference
Licensed reference(c) Alfokrads, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Critically EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXCritically EndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Gulf croaker
  • Bigeye croaker
  • Squid
Predators
  • Great white shark
  • Killer whale
ThreatsAccidental entanglement in illegal gillnets, habitat degradation, and low genetic diversity
HabitatsShallow coastal marine waters and lagoons
Life spanUp to 20 years
Classification
  1. OrderCetacea
  2. FamilyPhocoenidae
  3. GenusPhocoena
  4. SpeciesPhocoena sinus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
What to notice
Look for a tiny, blunt-headed porpoise with dark rings around the eyes and lips that rolls smoothly at the surface without splashing.
Support conservation
Strictly avoid approaching or pursuing animals, keep vessels at least 100 meters away, and obey all zero-tolerance fishing zones.
Responsible observation
  • Vessel Distance: Maintain an extensive buffer and cut engines if sighted to avoid causing panic.
  • Report Sightings: Document precise GPS coordinates immediately to support local conservation monitoring.
  • Binocular Scanning: Scan the surface using high-power stabilized optics rather than chasing elusive ripples.
Related species
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