Small porpoise is the rarest animal on Earth

Photo: World Wildlife Fund

Have you ever wondered what is the rarest animal on Earth? 

According to the World Wildlife Fund, it's a marine mammal called the vaquita, found only in Mexico's Gulf of California. It is so rare that there are only 10 in existence, making them an endangered species!

The vaquita weighs about 125 pounds and is around five feet long. 

The World Wildlife Fund reports that the vaquita is on the edge of extinction.

"The plight of cetaceans—whales, dolphins, and porpoises—as a whole is exemplified by the rapid decline of the vaquita in Mexico,

with about 10 individuals remaining," is says on the WWF website. 

"This little porpoise wasn't discovered until 1958 and a little over half a century later, we are on the brink of losing them forever. Vaquita are often caught and drowned in gillnets used by illegal fishing operations in marine protected areas within Mexico's Gulf of California.The population has dropped drastically in the last few years.

"The vaquita has a large dark ring around its eyes and dark patches on its lips that form a thin line from the mouth to the pectoral fins. 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. They are most often found close to shore in the Gulf's shallow waters, although they quickly swim away if a boat approaches."

With only around 10 left, the species will become extinct without a fully enforced gillnet ban throughout their entire habitat, says the WWF. The organization is "urgently working to ensure they can live and thrive in their natural habitat."

For more about the work of the World Wildlife Fund, click here: WWF - Endangered Species Conservation | World Wildlife Fund