They eat around 50 species of Amazon fishes, including piranhas. The last dolphin described in this fascinating book is the Endangered Amazon River Dolphin. They range in size from the 5-foot (1.5 m) long South Asian river dolphin to the 8-foot (2.4 m) and 220-pound (100 kg) Amazon river dolphin. Another is that they do not go out of their way to make themselves seen, often putting only the tips of their heads out of the water. Volcano tourism is booming, but is it too risky? During the wet season, however, females venture far into the flooded forest, likely to escape the aggressive males. Paradoxically, the good news is that despite living in small groups, Amazon pink river dolphins are incredibly curious and outgoing animals towards humans. Battle to control America’s ‘most destructive’ species: feral pigs, Starling murmurations are dazzling, ubiquitous, and puzzling. A few of the main stems of the Amazon River are the Mantaro River and the Apurímac River. This Amazon river dolphin exhibits a mottled pattern What do Pink Dolphins eat? 3) These marine mammals are capable of using echolocation to search for food, navigate the rivers and maintain awareness of potential threats, even in environments t… How the first pitch became baseball's Opening Day tradition, How Queen Victoria remade the British monarchy, 1800-year-old chain armor reconstructed using video game tech, After winning the vote, here’s why the suffragist movement took divergent paths, The extraordinary lives of America's 'bravest women'. The tucuxi, also a dolphin species, is found both in the rivers of the Amazon basin and in the coastal waters of South America. An Amazon River Dolphin is also often referred to as a Pink River Dolphin, a Boto or a Bufeo. They are also the most intelligent of the five living species of river dolphins. The Amazon pink river dolphin is the largest and smartest out of the five freshwater species. Most species live in shallow waters of tropical and temperate oceans. We have read a lot about these freshwater dolphins (they are also called Amazon River dolphins), so we collected the most interesting facts about the pink dolphins for you! 3) The pink amazon river dolphin is believed to be the most attractive of all amazon river dolphins and faces the most aggression among males during mating periods. That same year, the Peruvian Government approved the ‘National Action Plan for the Conservation of River Dolphins and the Amazonian Manatee’ — a critical step in the conservation of these species integrating scientific research such as ecological and population studies. 2. Where to find warrior queens, fairies, and castles in Scotland, The forgotten fossil hunter who transformed Britain’s Jurassic Coast, How the pandemic created two wildly different ski seasons in the Alps, Buried by Vesuvius, this ancient villa is an overlooked alternative to Pompeii. 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. aminoapps.com. Interesting Amazon river dolphin Facts: Amazon river dolphins can reach 8 feet in length, but they are usually smaller. Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright © 2015-2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Theyre also often deliberately killed for use as bait in the mota catfish fishery, which gathers fish that demand high prices in cities. The Amazon River flows through three countries in South America. Amazon pink dolphins are considered the most intelligent dolphins with a brain capacity that is 40% larger than a human’s. These river dolphins can sport markings that range from mostly gray with some pink spots, to full flamingo pink. 12 Pink Dolphin Facts The largest sweetwater dolphins. Some Random Amazon River Facts 16. Also known as the ‘Pink River Dolphin’ or the ‘Boto’, they are not to be confused with the marine pink dolphins. The body of this mammal is long and plump, whereas the fins remind paddles by their shape. Despite their small eyes they have good sight above and underwater and have no trouble navigating the Amazon’s muddy waters to catch their prey thanks to an excellent sense of echolocation. www.haikudeck.com. It is one of the species of toothed whales, called odontocetes. Fun information and facts! In the Peruvian Amazon, the status of the pink river dolphin as a semi-magical being may have helped protect the species by encouraging local communities to treat them well and preserve their numbers. Amazon dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) bear little resemblance to our beloved Flipper. Pink river dolphins are super agile, as the vertebrae in their necks are unfused, unlike other dolphins. The Amazon River Dolphins are the largest and most widespread freshwater dolphins in the World. Can AstraZeneca dispel doubts about its shots? Facts About the Amazon River Dolphin (A Picture Book For Kids) Paperback – September 20, 2016 by Lisa Strattin (Author) › Visit Amazon's Lisa Strattin Page. Amino. The fresh water that enters Atlantic from River Amazon flows on top of the sea water because fresh water is lighter. Echolocation allows them to navigate and find prey in the dark, muddy water. Unauthorized use is prohibited. It is an enigma as to how many “botos” exist in the Amazon, as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists them as ‘data deficient’. The Amazon river dolphin faces many human threats that jeopardize its survival. Their brain capacity is 40% larger when compared to that of humans. Brazil facts: learn about this cool country | Fun facts for kids, Amazon river cruise, Amazon river. Eventually, thousands of square miles of rainforest are flooded, creating a vast, tree-canopied sea. If you want to witness these friendly, yet elusive creatures up close in the Peruvian Amazon, knowledgeable guides are a must. 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. While much of “boto” life and its unique characteristics remain unfathomable, we think you might be surprised by these facts. Why humans are hardwired to feel disgust. The coloring is believed to be scar tissue from rough games or fighting over conquests. There are more than 1,100 tributary rivers that flow into the Amazon River. The Guarayo Indians of Bolivia refer to the Boto as the Inia. Nearly 40 different dolphin species inhabit the waters of the world. The young nurse for more than a year, staying close to their mothers. It is a relatively abundant freshwater cetacean with an estimated population in the tens of thousands. Amazon River is the prime habitat of the Boto, which is the largest species of river dolphin and is also known as the Amazon River Dolphin. Another claims that if you go swimming alone, the dolphins may whisk you away to a magical underwater city, which has led to the local fear of going near the water between dusk and dawn, or entering water bodies solo. All rights reserved. U.S. fracking is driving it. Read Gondwana’s Top 5 Pink River Dolphin Facts: 1. Europe’s plastics industry is about to boom. Start planning your once-in-a-lifetime adventure. A full-grown dolphin can grow up to 9 feet (2.7 meters) long, weigh up to 400 pounds (181 kilograms), and live to 30 years old. 2) The pink amazon river dolphin makes up one of around 5 known species of freshwater dolphin; Others include the Chinese river dolphin, La Plata dolphin, Indus river dolphin and Ganges river dolphins. In addition, the boto’s long snout comes in handy for rooting through river mud for crustaceans or darting among branches after small fish. Unfortunately, other threats such as environmental pollution, by-catch, and deliberate killing of dolphins for bait in fisheries still pose a threat. Every spring when the rains fall in South America, the Amazon River and its tributaries begin to spill their banks. Kids love dolphins and are very inquisitive about them. This water mammal is the largest of all the other river dolphin species, and cannot survive in salt water. Adults acquire a pink color, more prominent in males, giving it its nickname "pink river dolphin". Botos have the characteristic dolphin smile and, unlike their marine cousins, bulbous foreheads and long, skinny beaks. They also communicate using high-frequency sonar clicks to build a three-dimensional echogram of their dark riverine world. Gas heat and stoves are warming the climate. The brighter the pink, the more attractive the males are to females—at least during mating season, which takes place when the water has receded and males and females are confined to the river channel again. How did they get to the Amazon—and why are the males sometimes pink? 20% of Earth’s fresh water that enters the oceans comes from Amazon. Some also believe them to be the guardians of the Amazon manatees, so those who wish to see a manatee must first reconcile with the pink dolphin. back to menu ↑ Dolphins Can Hear 10 Times above the Human Range of Hearing Dolphin Facts For Kids -Learn All About Dolphins Among all the aquatic animals, Dolphin is well known for its intelligence and human friendly behavior. Fun fact: when the dolphins get excited, they can flush a brighter pink, similar to humans! Please be respectful of copyright. Botos are the largest of the four river dolphin species, reaching up to eight feet long and 450 pounds. A unique adaptation lets botos swim easily between trees and through tangles of branches: unfused neck vertebrae, which allows them to bend at up to a 90-degree angle. Pfizer-BioNTech say their vaccine offers protections for at least six months, 430,000 years ago a meteor exploded over Antarctica, leaving clues in the debris, Bones evolved to act like batteries, 400-million-year-old fish suggest, Here’s what the WHO report found on the origins of COVID-19. Lisa Strattin (Author) 4.2 out of 5 stars 15 ratings. In Rome, dolphins were thought to carry souls to the “Islands of the Blest,” and images of dolphins have been found in the hands of Roman mummies, presumably to ensure their safe passage to the afterlife. The most recent assessment by the IUCN Red List in 2018 categorizes the species as “endangered” as evidence suggests its total population size has decreased 50% or more over a period of 75 years. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. The pink river dolphins of the Amazon use sonar to locate their prey hiding in the river. Amazon River Dolphin Interesting Facts Among all the river dolphins in the world, amazon river dolphin is the largest river dolphin. Amazing Facts About the Amazon River Dolphin The Amazon River Dolphin is also known as the boto or pink river dolphin due to its distinctive colouring. Also called boto, bufeo, and pink dolphin, it is common in the turbid waters of the Amazon and Orinoco river basins. WWF is using quadcopter drones to track and count Amazon River dolphinsa method thats swifter and potentially more accurate than traditi… Ew, gross! Here are 10 Fun Facts About Dolphins: 1. Why do whales beach themselves? The Amazon river dolphin is the largest species of river dolphin, with adult males reaching 185 kilograms (408 lb) in weight, and 2.5 metres (8.2 ft) in length. When it is born, its color is gray and as it gets older it slowly turns pink. 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. The species name, geoffrensis comes from Geoffrey St. Hilaire (1772-1850). On average, Amazon river dolphins weigh between 180 and 220 pounds. The Amazon river dolphin is the largest river dolphin the world, growing up to 8 feet 6 inches inches (2.6 meters) in length. An Amazon river dolphin, also called a boto, pauses for an underwater portrait in Brazil. What if the world’s biggest customer went green? 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. It is one of... Amazon River Dolphins are only distantly related to saltwater dolphins. They are only found in the water of the Amazon River, the Orinoco River and the Araguaia River. Pink Dolphins by ellane slagle. To visitors of the Peruvian Amazon, the “boto”, or pink river dolphin is a rare and beautiful creature. 1) The amazon river dolphin is one of around 4 known species of freshwater dolphin. Interesting Facts About the Amazon River Dolphin Being the biggest of the five species of freshwater dolphins in the world, the Amazon river dolphin has bulbous foreheads and long, skinny beaks. Females give birth to one calf after a pregnancy of 11 to 15 months. 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. We dare say some of the dolphins even recognize them! Instead of a dorsal fin, this dolphin has a ridge. Are you an author? Explore and learn everything about Amazon River Dolphins, download Amazon River Dolphin wallpapers and Amazon River Dolphin coloring pages. We’re partially to blame. A locust plague hit East Africa. 1024 x 768 jpeg 147kB. Find out more about our Aria Amazon or brand-new Aqua Nera expeditions in Peru. Pink Dolphin . Amazon river dolphins can be pink, blue or albino (completely white due to lack of pigment) in color. Dam construction fragments populations and limits the species range and ability to breed. Pink dolphins have a powerful jaw. www.slideshare.net. 1) Because the pink amazon river dolphin is a marine mammal it is warm-blooded, gives birth to its young, produces milk and breathes air. These river dolphins are usually found alone or averaging 3 individuals in a pod (group name). While most species of dolphins live in coastal areas of tropical and temperate oceans, there are five species that live in freshwater rivers (including the Amazon pink river dolphin). Subscribe our newsletter to get the latest offer. This fresh water dilutes the salinity of the sea water and changes the color of … The pesticide solution may have dire consequences. To conserve the Amazon river dolphin and its environment through research, education and collaboration 4) Because these marine mammals live in rivers rather than the open ocean they aren’t known to have oceanic predators such as killer whales and sharks which are known to hunt d… Although Amazon pink river dolphins are famous for its pink hue, they weren’t born this way. Although Amazon pink river dolphins are famous for its pink hue, they weren’t born this way. They also have unusually large brains, with 40 percent more brain capacity than humans! Learn about Author Central . Most strikingly, males can be pink. The Amazon River Dolphin is a group of dolphins that primarily dwell in the South Americas waters, especially in the Amazon river. Their diet is the most diverse amongst toothed whales (especially during the wet season), consisting of more than 53 species, including piranhas. It is also the largest river dolphin species in the world. www.gondwanaecotours.com. 635 x 298 jpeg 45kB. Amazon or pink river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) is the largest member of the river dolphin species. Into this seasonal sea, which remains for half the year, swims the Amazon river dolphin, or boto. They can often be seen swimming upside down, possibly to help them see the bottom of the river better. The three countries the Amazon River flows through are Brazil, Columbia and Peru. Sign up for more inspiring photos, stories, and special offers from National Geographic. They can grow up to lengths of more than 2.5 metres. One challenge in counting them is that the riverine waters are often murky with silt. We know this for a fact, and that is why our naturalist guides are local born-and-bred, with years of experience on the Amazonian way of life. Part of this status is because while dolphins have a reputation for gathering in groups, the pink river dolphin is often seen alone or in small groups of 2-4 individuals, usually mother and young. Five species live in rivers. Basically, pink dolphins eat almost anything small that swims. The ability to turn their heads to an angle of 90 degrees allows them to maneuver around tree trunks, rocks, and other obstacles. Aqua Blu – Departures with Chef Benjamin Cross, Aqua Blu – Departures with historian Ian Burnet, Aqua Nera – Departures with chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, Aqua Mekong – Departures with chef David Thompson, Indonesia - Limited Repositioning Cruises, Please select the Destination, Departure Date and number of Suite. A male Amazon river dolphin can grow to over 2.4 metres (8 feet) and 160 kg (350 pounds); females are slightly smaller. The Orinoco river and the Araguaia river its back instead of a dorsal,. 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