Amazon river dolphin

Playful, curious, and intelligent; the largest river dolphins in the world

Joachim S. Müller


Amazon river dolphin

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Playful, curious, and intelligent; the largest river dolphins in the world

Population >10,000
50% decline over the past 75 years

Known for its unique and fascinating characteristics, exhibits a remarkable ability to swim upside down, a behavior believed to enhance its vision. This adaptation is particularly advantageous as their chubby cheeks pose a hindrance to downward visibility when they swim upright.

With a distinctive long and plump body, the Amazon river dolphin displays varying coloration throughout its life stages. Newborns sport a dark grey tint, transitioning to light grey in adolescence and eventually turning pink in adulthood due to repeated abrasion of the skin surface. They possess long, thin snouts housing up to 140 teeth, and instead of a dorsal fin, a noticeable ridge adorns their back.

In addition to their unique physical traits, Amazon river dolphins are known for their playful nature. They engage in activities such as playing with logs, pulling at underwater grass, and interacting with turtles and other aquatic animals. Despite their playful demeanor, they are not picky eaters, boasting the most diverse diet among toothed whales, consisting of 53 different fish species. This adaptability and playful behavior contribute to the Amazon River dolphin’s intriguing and multifaceted existence in the aquatic ecosystems of the Amazon River.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Bolivia
2018
Brazil
2018
Colombia
2018
Ecuador
2018
Peru
2018
Venezuela
2018

Did you know?

  • They can swim upside down to promote better vision, as their chubby cheeks are an obstacle to seeing downward when they are upright.

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Get to know me

Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd / Group

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No