Vaquitas have small, strong bodies with a rounded head and no beak. They have black patches around their eyes and lips and small, spade-shaped teeth. Vaquitas also have triangle-shaped dorsal fins in the middle of their backs, which are taller and wider than in other porpoises.
A common inquiry we ran across in our research was “What kind of skin does a vaquita have?”.
The vaquita’s unique facial markings of a black ring around each eye and black curved lips have been compared to a smiling panda. They are dark gray on their dorsal (top) surface with pale gray sides and a white underside with light gray markings. Newborns generally have darker coloration.
Its top—the dorsal surface—is dark gray, its sides are pale gray, and its underside—the ventral surface—is white with long, light gray markings. Newborn vaquita have darker coloration and a wide gray fringe of color that runs from the head to the flukes, passing through the dorsal and pectoral fins.
How do vaquita reproduce?
Vaquitas are polygynous, which means that one male gets the exclusive right to mating with multiple females. They mate from mid-April to May and give birth to a single calf, usually in early March, after a gestation period of approximately 10 – 11 months.
Also, how long does it take for a vaquita to reproduce?
Little is known about vaquita reproduction but researchers believe it is probably similar to that of harbor porpoises. Births occur in February-April, peaking in late March to early April.
The delta includes many types of fish, birds, marine reptiles, and marine mammals. World map providing approximate representation of the vaquita’s range. Vaquitas can live for at least 21 years.
How can you tell a porpoise from a vaquita?
You’ll know you’re looking at a vaquita if you see a porpoise with a round black patch around his or her eye and black ‘smiling’ lips. Of course, the vaquita isn’t smiling any more than a performing dolphin is, but the shape of their lips makes it look as though they are. Vaquitas have a small, chunky, grey body with paler sides and a white belly.
Vaquitas use sonar to communicate and navigate Gulf waters. When seen, they are either alone or in small groups of two or three, used to be 8-10 individuals. The vaquita is also the only porpoise species found in such warm waters. A female will give birth every 2 years or so.
What is the difference between a male and female vaquita?
Females are longer than males, but males have larger fins. Vaquitas have small, strong bodies with a rounded head and no beak. They have black patches around their eyes and lips and small, spade-shaped teeth. Vaquitas also have triangle-shaped dorsal fins in the middle of their backs, which are taller and wider than in other porpoises.