In fact, river dolphins are only distantly related to sea dolphins. They belong taxonomically speaking to different families. The oceanic dolphins belong to the family delphinidae while river dolphins belong to the family Platanistoidea as we said above. Pink dolphins inhabit the Amazon River, but they can also be found in the Orinoco basins and the upper Madeira River as well.
While they are mostly pink, these dolphins have various colored skins, which can be light gray, pink, or brown. The Amazon River pink dolphins conform the largest population of river dolphins in existence as the other four species are functionally extinct or close to extinction. These friendly and social creatures have been living for centuries in the Amazon and its tributaries, but the accelerated destruction of the Amazon basin have put them in a every time more dangerous situation. The raise in contaminant levels of mercury have caused and increased number of deaths among pink dolphins, especially near gold mines where mercury is used as part of the gold mining process.
The increase of traffic in the Amazon River, also threatens these creatures as they are curious by nature and they sometime approach to vessels where they are easily hurt by the sharp propellers. 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-grey colour and they get pinker as they age. Mature males are pinker than females, which could be to do with their penchant for fighting. As wounds heal, they are covered with pink scar tissue eventually replacing their grey skin. Usually found alone, in mother-calf pairs or in small pods of 3 or 4 individuals, botos are rarely found in large groups.
Helping them to hunt and feed, Amazon River dolphins have lithe, manoeuvrable bodies. Dexterous swimmers, they can easily weave their way through submerged trees and shrubs to find their food. Assisted by their big, paddle-shaped flippers that they can circle independently of each other, botos are natural gymnasts, swimming backwards, upside down and pivoting like pros. As you can imagine, this is very helpful when your prey is quick and prone to taking refuge in hard-to-reach places.
Active day and night, botos are quite inquisitive beings. They can also throw sticks and weed, pull grass underwater and play with turtles, snakes and fish. Interestingly, Amazon River dolphins are the only dolphins who have the equivalent of molar teeth, much like we do. They use these teeth to crunch up their food before swallowing.
Not particularly fussy eaters, botos will happily tuck into a varied diet of over 40 species of fish, shrimps, crabs and turtles. Despite the understandable connection people often make with dolphins and the open ocean, botos only live in freshwater — often thousands of miles from the sea.. Living in huge rivers, small tributaries, lakes, flooded forests and submerged grasslands, botos can be found in six countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. These include resident populations throughout the Amazon and Orinoco river systems, as well as in the Araguaia River in Brazil.
In Amazonian folklore and culture, botos live in magical, underwater kingdoms and have supernatural powers. Once transformed, the encantado leaves the river to attend parties and seduce young girls. They breed seasonally and have their pups in May and June time. This is when there is flooding in their habitat, and this gives the female and its babies the best chance of survival.
Concerns have been raised about the Amazon river dolphin. There is not sufficient data available on this species to know the extent to which it is at risk. From a more positive perspective, these dolphins have been the subject of a good deal of mythology. In some cases, they are considered somewhat magical, and this has been good for their preservation from danger by people. Amazon Rainforest Pink river dolphins are sometimes seen during trips to the Amazon Rainforest. At Ecuador and Galapagos Insiders we can help you identify a trip where you will have the chance of spotting this fascinating creature.
One of our favorite Ecuadorian lodges has reported various dolphins swimming closeby in past weeks including the months of July and August , Sacha Lodge can be a perfect option for a luxurious lodge trip and that could allow you to get to see a huge array of wildlife including the incredible river pink dolphins.
Get in touch now for more information and advice on the best places to visit in the Ecuadorian Amazon region. Amazon Rainforest Pink Dolphin. Traveling to the Galapagos Islands in July September 14, And finally, the melon on their heads, which they can modify by muscular control for using it as a Biosonar or Animal echolocator Are Pink Dolphins really Pink?
This Amazon river dolphin exhibits a mottled pattern What do Pink Dolphins eat? Pink dolphin looking for its dinner: Fishes, turtles or crabs. Are Pink Dolphins smart?
For more in-depth information about the brain power of dolphins and whales click here Pink dolphins are intelligent. Are Pink Dolphins threatened or endangered now? Hello friend. I am mister pink dolphin, a national treasure. And what about their Conservation Status? The conservation Status ranking system by the IUCN The Pink dolphin is classified as Threatened between Endangered and Vulnerable, due to lack of actual data Vulnerable means a high risk of extinction in the wild Endangered means a very high risk of extinction in the wild All in all, the current situation for the Pink Dolphin is worrying, with a high to very-high risk of extinction , more coordinated efforts are still needed for their preservation.
Other facts about Pink Dolphins The Boto or pink dolphin is subject to a particular Amazon mythology. It is said that this freshwater dolphin turns itself into a handsome man when the sun goes down. Some say it morphs itself fully clothed in white, some say with a straw hat, and some other people say it takes the form of some other man from nearby villages. What for? To hypnotize and seduce unsuspecting your woman , impregnate them, and return to the river before the sun goes up to turn back into pink dolphins.
This is one of the most widespread Amazon rainforest myths, and some Amazon villagers attribute many of the single mom kids to this Amazon river dolphin. They even tell young girls to be careful about strangers and keep away from the river at night. Like most other dolphins, pink dolphins sleep with one eye open. They can do that by putting one half of their brain to sleep and keep the other side of the brain conscious and functioning.
They alternate those sides to be able to rest and at the same time be on the lookout for predators. The season for giving birth to young pink dolphins coincide with the flooding season of the Amazon river between May and June , providing an advantage to female dolphins and their babies.
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