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The vaquita (/ v ə ˈ k iː t ə / və-KEE-tə; Phocoena sinus) is a species of porpoise endemic to the northern end of the Gulf of California in Baja California, Mexico. Reaching a maximum body length of 150 cm (4.9 ft) (females) or 140 cm (4.6 ft) (males), it is the smallest of all living cetaceans .
The family Balaenidae, the right whales, contains two genera and four species. All right whales have no ventral grooves; a distinctive head shape with a strongly arched, narrow rostrum, bowed lower jaw; lower lips that enfold the sides and front of the rostrum; and long, narrow, elastic baleen plates (up to nine times longer than wide) with fine baleen fringes.
A vaquita swimming in the Gulf of California. Porpoises are highly affected by bycatch. Many porpoises, mainly the vaquita, are subject to great mortality due to gillnetting. Although it is the world's most endangered marine cetacean, the vaquita continues to be caught in small-mesh gillnet fisheries throughout much of its range.
The International Whaling Commission released its first ever extinction alert to raise awareness surrounding the decreasing vaquita porpoise population.
Vaquita: northern area of the Gulf of California, or Sea of Cortez Phocoena spinipinnis: Burmeister's porpoise: coast of South America References
Toothed whales range in size from the 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) and 54 kg (119 lb) vaquita to the 20 m (66 ft) and 100 t (98 long tons; 110 short tons) sperm whale. Several species of odontocetes exhibit sexual dimorphism , in that there are size or other morphological differences between females and males.
The tiny marine animal still has enough genetic diversity to survive, but illegal gillnet fishing threatens the species. Skip to main content. 24/7 Help. For premium support please call: ...
Delphinoidea is the largest group of toothed whales, including 66 genera in 6 families. The largest living member of the superfamily is the orca , which can reach 6 tons , while the smallest is the vaquita .