# Vaquita (*Phocoena sinus*)

> The vaquita is the world's smallest and most endangered porpoise, found only in the northern Gulf of California in Mexico. It is recognized by dark rings around the eyes and lips. With only around ten individuals left, it is the most endangered marine mammal on Earth, threatened mainly by illegal gillnets.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Critically Endangered
- **Range:** Only the shallow northern end of the Gulf of California in Mexico, the smallest range of any marine mammal.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/vaquita/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Artiodactyla
- **Family:** Phocoenidae
- **Genus:** Phocoena

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Phocoena sinus |
| Diet | Carnivore (fish and squid) |
| Habitat | Shallow northern Gulf of California |
| Lifespan | Around 20 years |
| Weight | 30–55 kg (66–121 lb) |
| Top speed | A fast, shy swimmer |
| Conservation status | Critically Endangered (IUCN) |

## 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.

## On the edge of extinction

The vaquita is the most endangered marine mammal in the world. Surveys suggest only around ten individuals may remain. The main threat is drowning in illegal gillnets set for fish and especially for the totoaba, whose swim bladder is trafficked for high prices.

## A race to save them

Conservationists, the Mexican government, and international groups are working to remove gillnets and patrol the vaquita's last refuge. Encouragingly, the surviving vaquitas still appear healthy and are reproducing, so removing nets from their habitat offers a slim but real chance of recovery.

## Frequently asked questions

### How many vaquitas are left?

Recent surveys suggest only around ten vaquitas remain, making it the most endangered marine mammal in the world.

### Where do vaquitas live?

Vaquitas live only in the shallow northern end of the Gulf of California in Mexico, the smallest range of any marine mammal.

### Why are vaquitas endangered?

Vaquitas drown in illegal gillnets, especially those set for the totoaba fish, whose swim bladder is trafficked. Bycatch in these nets is the single biggest threat.

### What do vaquitas eat?

Vaquitas are carnivores that feed on small fish, squid, and crustaceans in the shallow waters of the upper Gulf of California.

### Can the vaquita still be saved?

Possibly. The remaining vaquitas appear healthy and are still breeding, so removing gillnets from their habitat gives them a small but genuine chance of recovery.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Phocoena sinus.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Phocoena%20sinus&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Phocoena sinus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Phocoena_sinus/)
- [Wikipedia — Vaquita.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaquita)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/vaquita/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.