Pink Dolphin Facts

Pink Dolphins are actually the Amazon River Dolphin, which is a freshwater river dolphin found in the Amazon rivers in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Columbia and Venezuela. Pink Dolphins have a number of different nomers including: Boto, Boutu, Pink Freshwater Dolphin, or Pink Porpoise, Pink River Dolphin or Amazon River Dolphins.

While most people assume the Pink Dolphin is closely related to their ocean counterparts they are actually only distantly related to Sea Dolphins. In fact Pink Dolphins, actually belong to a different genus family. Ocean dolphins belong to “delphindae”, while river dolphins belong to “platanistoidea”.

Pink Dolphins are typically smaller than ocean Dolphins, but they have longer snouts and sharper teeth. Pink River Dolphins also have a much smaller dorsal fin and a larger tail than ocean Dolphins. Pink Dolphins grow to 6-8 feet in length and weigh 185-355 lbs when full grown. The male Pink Dolphins are usually larger than their female counterparts.

Pink Dolphins or Amazon River Dolphins are only one of five different river Dolphin species. Pink Dolphins are the most intelligent of all the river dolphins. The While then name “Pink Dolphin” has stuck, Pink Dolphins vary in color from light gray to pink or even brown.

Pink Dolphins have very small eyes and are almost blind. The rivers in which they live are usually very murky so there eyesight is of little consequence, they use sonar and hearing to navigate the river.

Pink Dolphins eat crustaceans, crabs, small river fish and even small turtles. Pink Dolphins have an infused neck vertebrae which allow them to turn their neck 180 degrees. Their neck flexibility makes it easier for the Pink Dolphins to feed.

Pink Dolphins typically give birth in May-June when the river is at its highest point. They carry their calves for 9-12 months and calves are born 75 cm long and weigh over 1 kg.

Pink River Dolphins are endangered due to deforestation and the destruction of their habitat. The increased river traffic has harmed the Pink Dolphins, as their curious nature has caused many of them to become injured from the propellers on boats. Also, the noise from motorboats can also cause the River Dolphins to become disoriented and have difficulty navigating the river water ways.

Pink Dolphins are very friendly, social creatures. Perhaps their friendly nature is the source of some of the myths that surround these interesting animals. Amazonian folklore is that an Amazon River Dolphin, is a mermen, metamorphosing into a handsome young man who come ashore and seduces young girls, impregnating them before returning to the river. Another legend says that if you make eye contact with an Amazon River Dolphin, you will experience a lifetime of nightmares.

About the Author
Jacob Maddox manages content for Wildlife Animals http://www.wildlife-animals.com an educational wildlife and animal website. Jacob also guest writes for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net