Boto, Boutu, Pink river dolphin, Amazon river dolphin, Boto, Bufeo, Pink river dolphin
The Amazon river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis ), also known as the boto, bufeo or pink river dolphin, is a species of toothed whale classified in the family Iniidae. Three subspecies are currently recognized: I. g. geoffrensis (Amazon river dolphin), I. g. boliviensis (Bolivian river dolphin) and I. g. humboldtiana (Orinoco river dolphin) while position of Araguaian river dolphin (I. araguaiaensis ) within the clade is still unclear. The three subspecies are distributed in the Amazon basin, the upper Madeira River in Bolivia, and the Orinoco basin, respectively.
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. Adults acquire a pink color, more prominent in males, giving it its nickname "pink river dolphin". Sexual dimorphism is very evident, with males measuring 16% longer and weighing 55% more than females. Like other toothed whales, they have a melon, an organ that is used for bio sonar. The dorsal fin, although short in height, is regarded as long, and the pectoral fins are also large. The fin size, unfused vertebrae, and its relative size allow for improved manoeuvrability when navigating flooded forests and capturing prey.
They have one of the widest ranging diets among toothed whales, and feed on up to 53 different species of fish, such as croakers, catfish, tetras and piranhas. They also consume other animals such as river turtles and freshwater crabs.
In 2008, this species was ranked by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as being data deficient, due to the uncertainty regarding its population trends and the impact of threats. While hunting is a major threat, in recent decades greater impacts on population have been due to the loss of habitat and inadvertent entanglement in fishing lines.
It is the only species of river dolphin kept in captivity, mainly in Venezuela and Europe. It is difficult to train and a high mortality rate is seen among captive individuals.
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CrepuscularCrepuscular animals are those that are active primarily during twilight (that is, the periods of dawn and dusk). This is distinguished from diurnal...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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PiscivoresA piscivore is a carnivorous animal that eats primarily fish. Piscivorous is equivalent to the Greek-derived word ichthyophagous. Fish were the die...
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AquaticAn aquatic animal is an animal, either vertebrate or invertebrate, which lives in water for most or all of its life. It may breathe air or extract ...
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PrecocialPrecocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
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ViviparousAmong animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
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PolygynyPolygyny is a mating system in which one male lives and mates with multiple females but each female only mates with a single male.
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PolyandryPolygyny is a mating system in which one female lives and mates with multiple males but each male only mates with a single female.
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PolygynandryPolygynandry is a mating system in which both males and females have multiple mating partners during a breeding season.
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SolitaryNo
Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe Amazon River dolphin, or, otherwise called Boto dolphin is one of the five river dolphins and is the most famous species of the group. The body of this mammal is long and plump, whereas the fins remind paddles by their shape. In addition, the animal can be easily identified by having a ridge on its back instead of a dorsal fin. The Amazon River dolphin also stands out from other dolphin species due to its coloration, ranging from bluish grey to white, and, sometimes, pink. Some vertebrae of the dolphin are unfused, making the neck of the animal amazingly flexible, which allows the dolphin to move its head in almost all directions. The animals have been treated with suspicion by local people. Moreover, the Amazon River dolphin is a subject of numerous myths and tales. According to one of the stories, these animals become handsome men in order to seduce young women, coming to the water.
The Amazon River dolphin is a South American mammal, distributed across the drainage basins of the Orinoco and Amazon Rivers and primarily occurring in rivers and streams with slow current. As the wet season comes, the water level increases, flooding surrounding forests. During this period, the dolphins usually leave the deeper streams to swim through the trees.
The Amazon River dolphins are typically found solitarily as well as in pairs. However, there have been recorded dolphin groups, consisting of up to 15 individuals. The Botos are most active in the early morning and late evening. These animals are neither fast swimmers nor deep divers, often preferring to swim on the water surface. Spotting a boat in the water, these curious dolphins swim up in order to explore it. The Amazon River dolphins are highly communicative animals, sometimes interacting with other dolphin species. Rolling, lob tailing and flipper waving are common behavior among these playful animals. Moreover, they frequently play with their logs as well as pull at underwater grass. Also, these dolphins can often be seen playing with turtles, fish and other aquatic life forms.
Amazon River dolphins are carnivores (piscivores). Their diet usually consists of crustaceans, fish and crabs.
Currently, very little is known about the mating system of these animals. Thus, the dolphins were thought to be monogamous, but recent studies have discovered facts, indicating other types of mating behavior in this species. Males of these dolphins are noticeably larger than females. They display extremely aggressive behavior: because of biting and abrasion, male dolphins often damage their fins, flukes, and blowholes. On the other hand, tooth-raking leads to scarring. The reason of this behavior can be tough competition for mating rights, which brings us to polygynous mating system. In the meantime, they are likely to practice polyandry and polygynandry - a mating system, where both males and females have a number of mates. The breeding period occurs in October - November, while the gestation period lasts approximately 11 months. The female dolphin normally yields a single baby with an interval of up to 5 years. As soon as the baby is born, the mother immediately helps the youngster to come to the water surface for air. The calf is nursed by its mother for about a year after birth, becoming independent within 2 - 3 years. Male dolphins are ready to mate at 7-12 years old, whereas females - earlier - at 6-10 years old.
: Presently, one of the major threats to these animals' population is continued development of the river systems, which are the natural habitat of these dolphins: they suffer from separation of their range into smaller section due to hydroelectric or irrigation schemes, damming rivers. Feeding upon aquatic animals, the dolphins compete with local fishermen. Moreover, the animals are threatened by the fishing process, during which they can accidently be caught in fishing nets or injured because of collisions with boats and motors.
According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Boto is unknown for today, but there are estimated populations in certain areas. Thus, in the Amazon basin there are: 107 individuals in the Solimões River (Brazil), 346 the in the Amazon River bordering Peru and Colombia, around 260 individuals in the Mamirauá Lake system of Brazil and 13.000 individuals in the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve. The Orinoco basin holds: 122 individuals in the Apuré River (Venezuela), 14-15 individuals in the Orinoco River (Venezuela) and 8 individuals in the Casiquiare River (Venezuela). Currently, Botos are classified as Data Deficient (DD) on the IUCN Red List.
Amazon River dolphins have an important role as predators of the river, and prey on a range of fish species, thus controlling their populations.
