Cetacean Lifestyle

Dolphins

Central/South
America

Asia

Misc

Submit pictures
or information

Picture Credits

Amazon River Dolphin

Other names: Bufeo, Bufeo Colorado, Boto, Boto Rosa, Boutu,
Nay, Tonina, or Pink River Dolphin

The neck vertebrae of the Amazon River Dolphin are
not fused together, and therefore the Boto is able
to bend its neck in a 90 degree angle to its body,
and skillfully hunt fish in the flooded forest.
a heavy, thickset body. It has a prominent domed forehead
ending in a long beak which contains 24 to 34 conical and
molar-type teeth on each side of the jaws. The conical
teeth are in the forward part of its mouth and are used
for holding and grasping prey which is then worked to the
rear of the mouth to be thoroughly crushed by the molars
before being swallowed. Another unique feature of this dolphin
is the presence of stiff hairs on the upper and lower portions
of the beak. It is thought these hairs provide a "sense of touch"
while the animal forages in the mud for food. Its mouth is wide
and straight and curves upward at the corners.

Facts

Scientific Name:

Inia geoffrensis

Length:

2.5 m / 6 ft

Weight:

160 kg / 350 pounds

Age:

up to 40 years

Total Population:

1800 individuals

Map Range:

In a traditional Amazon River myth, at night an Amazon River Dolphin
becomes a handsome young man who seduces girls, impregnates them, then
returns to the river in the morning to become an Amazon River Dolphin again.
It has been suggested that the myth arose partly because dolphin genitalia bear a
resemblance to that of humans. In the local area, there are also tales that
it is bad luck to kill an Amazon River Dolphin. Legend also states that if a
person makes eye contact with an Amazon River Dolphin, that person will have
nightmares for the rest of his or her life.

Captivity

Current Amazon River Dolphins in Captivity

Zoo Duisburg.
Aquario di Valencia.
Zoologico de quistochoca.

Past Amazon River Dolphins in Captivity:

Shedd Aquarium
Kamogawa Sea World
Marineland of the Pacific
Sea World of California
Steinhart Aquarium
Homosassa Springs
Marineland of Florida
Silver Springs
Tarpon Zoo
Milwaukee Co Zoo
Toledo Zoo
Highland Park Zoo/Pittsburgh Zoo
Forest Park Zoo