The diet of Amazon river dolphins tends to vary more during the rainy season as fish spread across the floodplain and become harder to catch. The pointed front teeth help them to catch prey, while the back molars are for crushing and breaking food down. Unlike other toothed cetaceans (whales and dolphins), Amazon river dolphins have two types of teeth. What do Amazon River Dolphins eat?Īmazon river dolphins primarily eat fish, but they will occasionally tackle more difficult prey species such as river turtles and crabs. This may be a way to increase protection from predators and strong currents, or it may be that small fish are more abundant here. Studies have shown that females and their calves are more likely to spend time in lakes and small tributaries, while males remain in the main river channels. During the rainy season, large areas of the rainforest flood, and they swim between the submerged trees in search of prey. Populations are not thought to migrate, though individuals will move around their range with seasonal variations in water level. They inhabit the Amazon and Orinoco river basins, including Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Unlike most dolphin species, Amazon river dolphins live in freshwater. boliviensis) is slightly smaller and ranges in colour from grey to bright pink. The common boto ( Inia geoffrensis geoffrensis) is the largest. There are two known subspecies of Amazon river dolphin. Researchers can use these unique scar patterns to identify individual river dolphins, which is important for understanding populations and inputting conversation measures.Īmazon river dolphins have a large bump on their forehead known as a ‘melon’, which they use for navigating through the murky river waters using echolocation, just like bats! How many subspecies are there? Like other dolphin species, it is common for Amazon river dolphins to have scars over their bodies from interactions with other dolphins, boats or fishing hooks. Males are pinker than females, and water temperature, clarity, and location may also affect colouring. Colour varies with individuals, though, and it lightens with age. The skin of adult river dolphins is usually solid or patched pink. Their dorsal fin is low and appears as a ridge along their backs, and their snouts are long and thin with bristles at the end, which they use to probe through the silt of the riverbed. The magical shape-shifters will always wear a white hat to hide their dolphin blowhole! What do Amazon river dolphins look like?Īmazon river dolphins resemble other dolphins in body shape. Some say that if a person drowns, their spirit enters the body of a boto, while others say river dolphins transform into beautiful people at night to lure humans into their river forever. They are a strong part of Amazon folklore the locals typically respect and protect them. Amazing Facts About the Amazon River DolphinĪmazon river dolphins are also known as pink river dolphins or botos.
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