What is the smallest cetacean, Hector's dolphin or vaquita?
Posted by appledeers@reddit | marinebiology | View on Reddit | 6 comments
Hi! I figured I'd post here because I am curious. I saw a post on Instagram that referred to Hector's dolphins as the smallest dolphin species, but I had always assumed that title belonged to the vaquita. I did some googling and it seems like the answer to this question is different depending on what site you look at. Even the respective Wikipedia articles for the two species both simultaneously claim ro be the smallest. It seems like their size ranges overlap a lot which I'm guessing is the source of the conflicting claims, but does anyone know which species tends to be smaller on average? Thanks for any responses!!
Sharkhottub@reddit
The Vaquita is the smallest...for now. Hector's will take that mantle when the three or four vaquita that are left on this planet die.
appledeers@reddit (OP)
The vaquita is one of those species whose decline is especially sad for me because I did a report and an art project on them in high school when there were still 20 or 30 vaquita left. Witnessing their decline in real time is so devastating. :(
pilotwhales@reddit
Vaquita is the smallest cetacean! Hector’s dolphins are the smallest dolphin species.
appledeers@reddit (OP)
Ohhhhhh, gotcha!!! That totally explains the different answers on google! I didn't know vaquitas weren't dolphins. Interesting!! Thanks so much!
pilotwhales@reddit
Yes! Vaquitas are porpoises 🥰
Cha0tic117@reddit
The vaquita is a member of the porpoise family (Phocoenidae). The Hectors dolphin is a member of the dolphin family (Delphinidae).
Dolphins and porpoises are primarily distinguished from each other by the shape of their teeth, with dolphins having conical teeth and porpoises having spade-shaped teeth.