Amazon dolphin facts

Get ready to explore the vibrant world of these underwater divas with some amazing facts about the pink river dolphin. Hold onto your swim caps, amazon dolphin facts, we're about to dive into the world of the Amazon river dolphin, aka the pink river dolphin Inia geoffrensis - the most fabulous and flamboyant member of the dolphin family.

Amazon river dolphins boto. Every spring when the rains fall in South America, the Amazon River and its tributaries begin to spill their banks. Eventually, thousands of square miles of rainforest are flooded, creating a vast, tree-canopied sea. Into this seasonal sea, which remains for half the year, swims the Amazon river dolphin , or boto. Botos have the characteristic dolphin smile and, unlike their marine cousins, bulbous foreheads and long, skinny beaks.

Amazon dolphin facts

The Amazon River itself is teeming with rich biodiversity: in the dark waters swim piranhas, crocodiles, manatees, and one of our favorites, the Amazon river dolphin. Known to locals as the Boto , or more frequently referred to as the Pink River Dolphin on account of its distinctive coloring, these fascinating creatures are steeped in myth and legend and have evolved to be highly specialized to their environment. Learn more about them before you head to the Amazon with these 15 interesting facts about Pink River Dolphins below. Despite their name, there are actually two other species of river dolphin the Bolivian and Araguaian and the oceanic Gray Dolphin known to locals as the Tucuxi that also call the Amazon river home. However the pink river dolphins are undoubtedly the most recognizable. Pink Amazon river dolphins are not the same dolphins you may find in the ocean like the tucuxi which is not closely related to them genetically and have quite a few special adaptations to their habitat. In truth, they are actually only distantly related to sea dolphins. They are slightly smaller than sea dolphins with Amazon river dolphins averaging about 6. There is an Amazonian legend that the pink river dolphins stalk the rainforest at night disguised as handsome, white-hat wearing men the hat is used to hide their blowhole in order to seduce and impregnate innocent local women. They come in all shades of pink, from a dull gray-pink, to rosy colored pink, to a bright pink like that of the flamingo. There are various theories for this. Some believe age is a factor, with younger dolphins being gray and they get pinker with age, with adult males usually the pinkest. Another theory is the coloration is a way to camouflage themselves against the reddish mud that occurs in some stretches of the river to help avoid being noticed by predators. There are several anatomical differences between the Amazon River dolphin and other types of dolphins.

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In South American culture however, it is considered a mythical figure that has been revered and reviled in equal measure. In reality, the pink river dolphin is one of two species of endangered freshwater dolphins that are found in similar locations throughout the Amazon and Orinoco river basins. Inia geffrensis, or the pink river dolphin is different from the grey or tuxuci Sotalia fluviatilis river dolphins, which bear more resemblance to marine dolphins with their bottlenoses and habit of leaping out of the water. As its name suggests, the pink river dolphin is most recognizable by its unique color making it a huge draw for explorers of the Peruvian Amazon. The dolphins are actually born gray and slowly turn pink as they age. Male dolphins are strikingly pinker than their female counterparts; the coloration thought to be a product of scar tissue resulting from rough games or fighting over conquests. However, their final color can be influenced by their behavior, capillary placement, diet, and exposure to sunlight; with brighter pinks attracting more attention from the females.

In the dense and diverse aquatic world of the Amazon, there swims a creature of remarkable intrigue and charm — the Amazon River dolphin, also known as the pink river dolphin or boto. These unique aquatic mammals, with their prominent forehead, shrouded in pinkish hue and local lore, stand out not only for their color but also for their intelligence and complex behavior. There are three recognized species of river dolphins under the genus Inia. The Amazon River dolphin, or Inia geoffrensis , is the most well-known. The other two species are Inia boliviensis , found in the Bolivian Amazon, and Inia araguaiaensis , discovered in the Araguaia River basin in Brazil. Despite being in the same genus, these species show differences in their morphology and genetics, indicating a degree of isolation. The Amazon River dolphin is the largest species of river dolphins, with adult males reaching lengths of 8 feet 2. Females tend to be smaller, measuring around 6 feet 1. A striking feature of these dolphins is their coloration.

Amazon dolphin facts

Quite the charmers, male botos sometimes try and win over females by pulling some particularly alluring techniques out of the bag. This may sound comical, but at least two other species are known to perform similar rituals to impress potential mates — chimps, and humans! Botos look very different to marine dolphins. Born gray, adult Amazon River dolphins turn pink or pinkish-grey as they mature, with males being both bigger and pinker than females. With low, ridge-like dorsal fins, long, skinny snouts, plump bodies, chubby cheeks and round, bulbous foreheads, botos have developed a unique look of their own. Even with their generously-sized heads though, botos have fairly small eyes. This may lead you to think that river dolphins struggle to see, but in fact, their eyesight is actually pretty good. Aided by their unfused neck vertebrae, they can get a good look at their underwater worlds by turning their heads in all directions and checking things out from every angle. Baby botos are born a bluish-gray color and they get pinker as they age.

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If you want to witness these friendly, yet elusive creatures up close in the Peruvian Amazon, knowledgeable guides are a must. It is also possible that hormones, stress, or other factors may play a role in the colour of the pink river dolphin. Share this article with your friends. They can often be seen swimming upside down, possibly to help them see the bottom of the river better. But can you believe that it is not born with this rosy appearance? Kogia Pygmy sperm whale K. One of the true natural wonders of the world, the Amazon River is an incredible stretch of water weaving through the Amazon rainforest of South America. The ability to turn their heads to an angle of 90 degrees allows them to maneuver around tree trunks, rocks, and other obstacles. Unlike their oceanic relatives, which are well-known saltwater inhabitants, these dolphins have made the vast freshwater ecosystems of the Amazon their unique choice of habitat. While they are known to be shy creatures, they are fascinatingly drawn to people, playing curiously with local children, and without demonstrating aggressive behavior. During the dry season, dolphins occupy the main river channels, and during the rainy season, they can move easily to smaller tributaries, to the forest, and to floodplains. Current Population Trend: Unknown. Animals How do fireflies get their glow?

The local people know Amazon dolphins by many names, including Amazon river dolphin , pink river dolphin, boto, and bufeo, to name a few.

These observations suggest that the Amazon river dolphin is found in higher density than any other cetacean. Males tend to be pinker than females due to more frequent trauma from intra-species aggression. Beluga whale D. The Sonar of Dolphins. The young nurse for more than a year, staying close to their mothers. Legend has it that pink river dolphins possess mystical powers. Welcome to the new A to Z Eco-Explorer, a series where we explore one environmental subject corresponding to each letter of the alphabet. As the water level begins to decrease, the density of food sources in flooded areas increases due to loss of space, providing enough energy for infants to meet the high demands required for growth. There is ongoing debate about the classification of species and subspecies. In reality, the pink river dolphin is one of two species of endangered freshwater dolphins that are found in similar locations throughout the Amazon and Orinoco river basins. Others believe the myth served and still serves as a way of hiding the incestuous relations which are quite common in some small, isolated communities along the river. The intervals between sightings ranged from one day to 7. Legend also states that if a person makes eye contact with an Amazon river dolphin, they will have lifelong nightmares.