Quick answer
Vaquitas feed on fish and squid, adjusting with season, age, and what is abundant in Shallow northern Gulf of California. That label is a preferred pattern, not every item an individual might sample.
Key takeaway
Vaquitas feed on fish and squid, adjusting with season, age, and what is abundant in Shallow northern Gulf of California. That label is a preferred pattern, not every item an individual might sample.
Vaquita diet overview
Vaquitas (Phocoena sinus) are best summarised as Carnivore (fish and squid). Anatomy and habitat (Shallow northern Gulf of California) decide whether they hunt, graze, filter, scavenge, or mix strategies across the year.
How vaquitas find food
Energy-rich foods are prioritised when available; lean seasons force broader diets or longer travel. Young animals may eat different items or receive food from parents.
Vaquita role in the food web
As predators or scavengers, vaquitas move nutrients and influence prey or vegetation.
Feeding and human conflict
Never feed wild vaquitas. Habituation raises injury risk and can lead to lethal management. Captive diets must match species needs, not generic pet food rules.
The smallest porpoise
The vaquita is the tiniest member of the porpoise family, reaching only about 1.5 m (5 ft). Dark patches around the eyes and a dark line from the mouth give it a distinctive, almost smiling face. It is shy, surfaces briefly, and avoids boats, so it is rarely seen.
A tiny, shrinking range
Vaquitas live in just one place on Earth: the shallow, murky waters at the northern end of the Gulf of California, between Baja California and mainland Mexico. No other marine mammal has such a small natural range.
Sources
Vaquita FAQs
What do vaquitas eat?
Vaquitas feed on fish and squid, adjusting with season, age, and what is abundant in Shallow northern Gulf of California. That label is a preferred pattern, not every item an individual might sample.
What is the scientific name of the vaquita?
Phocoena sinus — used in research and conservation listings for vaquitas.
Where do vaquitas live?
They are associated with Shallow northern Gulf of California. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of vaquitas?
Listed in our guides as Critically Endangered. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.