1 The vaquita, Phocoena sinus, is the world’s smallest cetacean, weighing around 55 kilos.
2 Females grow to be around 1.5 metres long. They are longer than the males, whose length tops out at about 1.4 metres.
3 They eat small fish and squid.
4 They have unique facial markings with a black ring around each eye and curved, black lips that make them look as if they are smiling.
5 Their dorsal surface is dark grey, their sides pale grey, and their underside is white with light grey markings. Newborn calves are darker.
6 Vaquita have proportionally large dorsal fins, possibly as an adaptation to warmer water to allow heat to dissipate.
7 Like other porpoises, vaquitas use sonar to communicate and navigate.
8 Vaquitas are very rarely seen. When they are spotted, they are either alone or in small groups of two or three. They are thus thought to be quite solitary animals.
9 Researchers estimate that vaquita live for around 20 years.
10.They feast on fish, prawns and crabs but are known to have particular preference for squid.
11. Unlike dolphins that will follow boats, vaquitas are shy, private creatures and as such very little is known about them. In fact, these little sea creatures were not discovered until as late as 1958 when three vaquita skulls were discovered on a beach.
12.Although they tend to spend their time in the shallow waters of the coast line or in the open sea no more than 25km (16 mi) from shore, they are so timid that it is very lucky spot a vaquita. The closest sighting has been from a far distance of 300ft [90m].
13.Since they are elusive, not much is known about the social behaviour or the reproductive cycle of the vaquita. Sightings have reported small groups of 2-4, larger groups of up to 10 and even solitary vaquitas.
14.Vaquitas can communicate with each other and navigate using sonar.
15.Sadly, the vaquita is classified as critically endangered with less than 100 thought to survive.
Explanation:
