Vaquita do have some natural predators in the wild. They include large marine species such as sharks and killer whales (orcas). Sharks found in the Gulf of California, such as…
How is the vaquita adapted to its habitat?
Several physical and behavioral traits have evolved to help the vaquita survive in this dynamic and biodiverse environment: Camouflaged coloring: Vaquitas have a distinctive color pattern, with a dark gray…
Is the vaquita a dolphin?
When you look at a vaquita (or any of its porpoise cousins), you might be forgiven for thinking that they might “just” be small dolphins. And while they are related,…
What is the difference between porpoises and dolphins?
Porpoises are generally smaller than dolphins. With the exception of the finless porpoise, they have a triangular dorsal fin (whereas most dolphins have a sickle-shaped fin). Porpoises also have different…
What will happen to the ecosystem if vaquitas go extinct?
The potential extinction of the vaquita, the world’s most endangered marine mammal, raises concerns not only for the species itself but also for the broader ecosystem of the Gulf of…
Why is the vaquita so rare?
The vaquita, the world’s smallest and most endangered marine mammal, is a rare and elusive species found exclusively in the northern Gulf of California. With fewer than 20 individuals remaining,…
With its low numbers, can the vaquita survive despite inbreeding?
The vaquita porpoise, the world’s smallest cetacean, teeters on the brink of extinction, with fewer than 10 individuals remaining in their sole habitat in Mexico’s Gulf of California. UCLA biologists…