During your 2024 planning we have something special for you, an exclusive experience in which you can meet the beautiful Amazon Pink River Dolphin. A species that is currently protected and valued throughout the jungle. Now, Auri Peru provides you with important information to know what its meaning is and why it should be protected.
The Amazon pink river dolphin is also known as boto, this is a specimen is mainly located in the Amazon and Orinoco basins. It is a vulnerable species due to both illegal hunting and river pollution, which has reduced its population.
Amazon Pink River Dolphin
We recommend you to read our article: Connect yourself with the nature of the Amazon in Peru
1.- ARE PINK DOLPHINS REAL?
Although it may popularly sound like just a legend or part of a children’s story, the Amazon pink river dolphin is real, a rare and beautiful animal that lives in the Amazon basins. This peculiar specimen has the characteristic of living only in freshwater, it has a lifespan of up to 15 years and can weigh close to 400 pounds. The pink river dolphin eat shrimp, turtles, crabs and many varieties of fish, this It’s mainly your diet.
2.- WHY ARE AMAZON RIVER DOLPHINS PINK?
Naturally, what draws the most attention is their particular pink color, but it is important to understand that they are not always like that. When it is just a baby, the beautiful pink Amazon pink river dolphin has a gray tone and throughout their lives they adopt this particular pinkish color as they age. Something very interesting to know is that within the Amazon pink river dolphin species, the male is the one with the strongest color while the females have a lighter pink color. This variation can be understood because the males fight among themselves, due to the dominance of the group which results in scar tissue and gives a more prominent appearance. On the other hand, it may also be due to light exposure, diet or other external factors, however the goal is the same: to attract females. It has even been known that dolphins have feelings and when they get excited they can wear pink brighter something similar to what happens to a human when they blush.
3.- DISCOVERING THE MYSTERIES OF THE AMAZON
“The trips that are really worth it. Have something different, something new and interesting, something that we will never forget. Meet and spend time with the amazon pink river dolphin, is something that is not done every day.”
4.- WHERE YOU CAN FIND PINK DOLPHINS IN PERU?
Yanayacu del Pucate River
The most recommended way to get to know the amazon pink river dolphin is through one of the tours that take place in the Peruvian jungle, Auri Peru can help you with this and allow you to do activities such as swimming with these animals. One of the most popular places to do it is the Pacaya Samiria national reserve. Although of course its natural habitat is in the extensive Amazon River, specifically in the basins and throughout many countries such as Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Colombia. It can regularly be seen in groups of two or four, so it is not an easy specimen to detect. It is also because they are incredibly intelligent animals, in many cases they have a shy behavior and do not allow themselves to be seen for long periods of time.
5.- WHAT DOES THE PINK RIVER DOLPHIN EAT?
In general, a pink river dolphin eat a wide variety of species that they can find in their habitat, they are not so exquisite when choosing their food. Mainly pink river dolphins eat shrimp, turtles, crabs and many species of river fish. Something peculiar that happens with the Amazon pink river dolphin is that, like whales, they have developed molars, which allows a pink river dolphin eat like humans and have a wide variety of diets, first they grind the food and then they pass it.
6.- HOW MANY PINK RIVER DOLPHINS ARE LEFT IN THE WORLD?
According to a record carried out in 2023, currently a total of 2000 specimens of this species can be considered globally, during the last 50 years, the population of pink dolphins in the Amazon River has decreased considerably due to many factors, mainly pollution from mining activity that reaches the rivers and therefore threatens their natural habitat. A Pink river dolphin eat species that are in their habitat and due to increased illegal housing, this has generated a shortage of many species, which directly affects the diet of the Amazon pink river dolphin.
Pink River Dolphin eating fish
7.- THE LARGEST SPECIES OF DOLPHIN
The Amazon pink river dolphin is an incredible species that lives in the Amazon basins, so its size is very remarkable. It can measure between 2 m to 2.5 m and easily exceed 250 kg in weight, making it one of the largest river dolphins in the world.
However, history shows us that this has been a process since six years ago researchers found remains of what was once a prehistoric dolphin. The incredible thing is that it measured more than 3 m. This species was called Penabista Yakuruna. Making mention of a mythological God that was already at the bottom of the Amazon River, it was determined that its origin dates back to the time of the Oligocene and the beginning of the Miocene. Unlike the current Amazon pink river dolphin, it had a more elongated snout and teeth that allowed him to have a lethal bite.
| “An adventure a day keeps the doctor away.” |
8.- MAIN FACTS ABOUT DOLPHINS
Did you know that there are particular and curious things about the Amazon pink river dolphin that you didn’t know? Lets discover some curious facts about them:
- You must understand that the Amazon pink river dolphin is one of the most intelligent animals in the world, and of course due to its size and weight, it has a curiously large brain, and seriously, when we talk about big, it is really big, after doing many studies. It was determined that they have 40% more brain death than even a common human. They are regularly very playful and it is common to see them interact with humans but not for long periods of time since internally they are still shy animals. In some cases you can even see them playing in front of the children in the area, jumping and showing off to coexist. It is very rare for them to exhibit any aggressive behavior, so it is always safe to be around them on a regular basis.
- By nature, the Amazon pink river dolphin is an excellent swimmer, very agile because they have great motor skills in their neck precisely, this is because they have vertebrae that are not fused and allow them to make a 90° turn without problem, this makes maneuvering around many obstacles a very easy task. At other times you can also see them swimming upside down, this is both for fun and also to be able to get their food, although their eyes are small they actually have a precise underwater vision.
- Curiously, the Amazon pink River dolphin is a species that at times tends to be very sociable and share time with the people in its environment. It can play and perform jumps and maneuvers that entertain everyone, which has led many people to call them gymnasts of water. In some moments it has even been seen and witnessed how, as part of the game, they take the oar from the fishermen who are busy with their activity in order to escape with their loot. However, at the same time, the Amazon pink river dolphin becomes one of the animals that prefers to be alone most of the time. You can regularly see it in groups of two or four, taking into account that two will always be small.
Largest Species Amazon Pink River Dolphin
9.- LEGENDS ABOUT DOLPHINS
In general, the Amazon pink river dolphin is so special and unique that they are surrounded by many stories and legends which in some cases become almost unreal. One of these legends mentions that during the nights of the full moon the Amazon pink river dolphin undergoes a transformation, appearing to be incredibly handsome men who walk on the bank of the same river, thus attracting the gaze of women who, upon approaching, tend to be tempted to do so. Entering the waters of the mysterious river, it is also said that anyone who harms a Amazon pink river dolphin causes bad luck and even more so if they make their house to eat it. This is one of the reasons why they are attributed as adorable beings whom we must protect and respect for their conservation. Being able to observe them and even interact with them will be one of the things you can achieve with us. Contact us to find out more.
Population Amazon Pink River Dolphin
Now you know a little more about the beautiful Amazon pink river dolphin, this will help make your travel plan purposeful. Auri Peru offers you the best options so that you can enjoy doing activities with the lovely Amazon pink dolphins during this 2024. Contact us, we will be happy to help you and personalize your trip.
“Adventure is worthwhile”
