Video: Feeding the Boto Dolphins Amazon river dolphins are known to eat more than 40 different species of freshwater fish and they also eat freshwater crustaceans. One adaptation that this dolphin species has … These dolphins food is mainly composed of fishes. Pink dolphins have a powerful jaw. Some of the best places to see them are Iquitos, the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, and the Upper Amazon River (for example, near Santa Rosa). The Amazon River dolphin is between six and eight feet long, and weighs between 185 and 355 pounds when it is fully grown. Pink dolphins Peru. Pink dolphins like to eat crabs, turtles and fish. Required fields are marked *, You can use these HTML tags and attributes . Pink dolphins are an endangered species due to overfishing, pollution, habitat loss and boat trafficking. One such fish found in the Amazon River is the piranha, though it is no match for these dolphins. Dusky dolphins eat shrimp, squid and various fish, including tiny anchovies. Pink dolphins like to eat crabs, turtles and fish. Calves are typically born in the spring and summer months and females bear all the responsibility for raising them. It is a freshwater marine mammal that eats primarily fish. With a better sense of sight, these individuals hunt a variety of fish, shrimp, and turtles. The oceanic dolphins belong to the family delphinidae while river dolphins belong to the family Platanistoidea as we said above. Turtles and crabs are also on the daily diet which consists of around 2.5% of its body weight every day. The Amazon or pink river dolphin is the largest dolphin species among river dolphins. Adult males have the maximum weight of up to 185 kg with about 2.5 meters body length. Amazon river dolphins (boto) The pink river dolphins of the Amazon use sonar to locate their prey hiding in the river. Additionally, pink dolphins get pinker when they are excited or surprised, resembling blushing in humans. It is sometimes known simply as boto. Baby dolphins are called calves. by Dolphins-World | Jan 29, 2014 | Species |. The IUCN publishes a red list of threatened species which is a reference in the field and the base for conservation of species. Diet of Amazon river dolphins consists of fish, shrimps and crabs. The Amazon River pink dolphins conform the largest population of river dolphins in existence as the other four species are functionally extinct or close to extinction. The Amazon pink dolphin is actually named the Amazon river dolphin or the pink river dolphin. All Rights Reserved by wanttoknowit.com. Pink dolphins are not the same dolphins that you would see in the ocean; they have special adaptations to their habitat. Spinner dolphins eat fish, jellyfish and krill. Dolphins are smart aquatic mammals classified under the category of toothed whales. They can consume very large amounts of food on a daily basis. The increase of traffic in the Amazon River, also threatens these creatures as they are curious by nature and they sometime approach to vessels where they are easily hurt by the sharp propellers. River dolphins are typically smaller than sea dolphins but they have longer snouts, an adaptation provided by evolution, which is needed to hunt at the bottom of the river. River dolphins feed primarily on fish. The Amazon river dolphin, also known as the pink river dolphin or boto, lives only in freshwater. In fact, river dolphins are only distantly related to sea dolphins. Amazon river dolphins are true carnivores (meat-eaters). The scientific name of the Pink Dolphins from the Amazon is Inia Geoffrensis and they belong to the genus Inea, part of the family Platanistoidea, which is conformed by the five species of river dolphins. Pink dolphins, also popularly known as Boto, Bouto or Amazon river dolphin are a type of dolphin species living in the Amazon rainforest with bodies well adapted to the Amazon river. Pink dolphins eat crabs, catfish, small river fish and even small turtles. Dolphins are one of the most loved marine animals, though most people only get to see the species that live in the ocean.For Valentine’s Day, we decided to do a little research on one of the most unique species: the Amazon pink river dolphin. As crabs and turtles have to be catch mainly at the bottom of the river, pink dolphins spend a lot of time while swimming looking at the bottom of the river for food. Pink dolphins have been listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a âvulnerable species-threatenedâ and recently was moved to âendangered species-threatenedâ. The Boto dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), inhabits the Amazon basin and part of the Orinoco river basin, so it has a wide variety of species available to eat, although it prefers fish since it feeds on more than 43 types, including the feared piranhas. They are often seen swimming at or near the bottom of the river hunting for crustaceans and may use their beak to capture other prey that is hiding in hollow logs or other objects. Diet: What Do Amazon River Dolphins Eat. Pink river dolphin also has a hump on their back rather than a dorsal fin. Additionally, the noise produced by engines and motors and the sound pollution caused by them, has been considered to produce a disorienting phenomenon in their navigations systems, causing the death of many pink dolphins. The pink dolphin is equipped with a sonar that allows it to hunt its prey in waters where the visibility is very poor. “Amazon River Pink Dolphins are typically smaller than sea dolphins but they have longer snouts, an adaptation provided by evolution…”. Amazon pink dolphins weigh between 84 and 161 kg (185 to 355 lb) when fully grown. It is a freshwater marine mammal that eats primarily fish. Complementary this dolphin also eats crabs and turtles. Most of it is spent looking for food. The pink river dolphin inhabits the basins of the Amazon and Orinoco River systems, meaning freshwater habitats in Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Peru and Venezuela are teeming with these unique mammals. Pink Dolphins (also called Pink River Dolphins, Amazon River Dolphins, Nay Dolphins and Bufeo Dolphins) are a species of dolphin that live in freshwater. When it comes to food the typical diet for the pink amazon river dolphin consists of fish such as catfish and piranha, crustaceans, shrimpand crabs. Unlike sea dolphins, river dolphins have what resembles fingers on the ends of their flippers, and their dorsal fins are much smaller than that of sea dolphins or even have humpbacks instead of dorsal fins like the pink river dolphin. Amazon river dolphins are known to eat more than 40 different species of freshwater fish and they also eat freshwater crustaceans. Their long snout allows them to borrow into narrow places such as hollowed logs and holes so that they can easily capture their prey. What do Pink River dolphins eat? Pink dolphins can be found in pink, light gray or brown colors but there is not conclusive evidence of the reason why pink dolphins are pink. Catfish and piranha are also considered a regular part of their diet and in some cases they may be observed hunting small turtles. The pink dolphin inhabits the murky waters of the Amazon River and Orinoco River. What Kind Of Fish Do The Pink Dolphins Eat ? There’s a lot to love! By Jorge Andrade [ CC BY 2.0 ], via Wikimedia Commons The Amazon river dolphin’s diet is among the most diverse of all the toothed whales. The legend also states that when dolphins find young women on the shore, they changes shape and impregnate them. As crabs and turtles usually live at the bottom of the river, pink dolphins spend a lot of time swimming near the bottom of the river on the lookout for food. In other words, not many other animals are able to eat dolphins. But what do pink dolphins eat? Frequently Asked Questions about Pink Dolphins, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Copulation is performed between males and females belly to belly. What do Pink Dolphins eat? The Amazon river dolphin is the largest river dolphin. Pink dolphins may swim up to 30 km (18.5 miles) in one day. All dolphins have teeth but they don't chew their food, they just, grab, bite and swallow! They eat around 50 species of Amazon fishes, including piranhas. This aquatic creature may only be found in freshwater environments, and it is different from the marine pink dolphin. The specific … Currently, there are three recognized subspecies of the Amazon or pink river dolphin; There are several other superstitions about the Pink Dolphins in the Amazon River and around. Male river dolphins typically mate with multiple females every year, but females only mate every two to three years. Answers to life's questions, Why are Whale Sharks an Endangered Species, How Many Countries Make up the Commonwealth. A pink dolphin's meal includes small river fish, crabs, small turtles and catfish. Hunting fish require some techniques like herding, where they round a fish pod to concentrate fish and take turns for feeding. Spinner dolphins eat fish, jellyfish and krill. If you have a question you can search for the answer below! It is found throughout much of the Amazon and Orinoco river basins in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela. I hope you find an answer to your question, but if your don't then please send me your question via email, comment or via Google+ and I'll try and answer it. Their diet primarily consists of fish, and they depend on healthy fish populations for their survival, feasting upon over 50 types of fish. They swim up to 30 kilometers in one day, although they usually swim slowly looking for food at the bottom of the river. The pink dolphin is equipped with a sonar that allows it to hunt its prey in waters where the visibility is very poor. The boto cervical vertebrae are not fused allowing them to move their head up to 180 degrees, which is a great help for hunting in shallow waters and floodplains. It could be an adaptation to the river life or caused by the presence of capillaries near the surface of the skin what provide them such impressive color. In Peru, The Pink dolphins also live in the Amazon River basin. Amazon river dolphins can move from rivers to ponds and lakes during the rainy season (when rivers are flooded). These dolphins live in muddy water and have poor eyesight. The Colombian Amazon is the area you should head to see the pink dolphins in nature. What Kind Of Fish Do The Pink Dolphins Eat ? River dolphins also tend to have more pointy teeth than sea dolphins. The oldest known dolphin lived at Marineland, St. Augustine, Florida, while a study research in the Indian River Lagoon found that the average age of wild dolphins collected for a biological survey was 10 years of age. River dolphins such as the Amazon River dolphin (boto) and the South Asian river dolphins only live in fresh water rivers and lakes. Calves are born about 75 cm long and weighing a bit more than 1 Kg. Pink dolphins appear to be the friendliest of all the river dolphins when approaching to humans and some stories of people being pushed to the shores by them are common among some tribes in the Amazon. Dolphins are mostly carnivorous feeding on a diet of crustaceans, squids, crabs, clams, and a wide array of fish species. Catfish are their favorite species of fish to eat. Freshwater Life: Amazon River Dolphin Habitat. They can be found globally, especially in the shallow sea waters and powerful rivers. Hi, I'm Tim and I want to welcome you to wanttoknowit.com. What Do Pink Dolphins Eat? Indus River dolphins are a freshwater subspecies of dolphin. Living in South American river systems is a hidden creature that is known to few but the locals. The front row of teeth helps to puncture and to hold fishes (or other preys). As the Amazon is fed by large stretches of rain forrest, every year it floods its banks for extended periods of time. Thanks to Dolphins World for some of the info! As crabs and turtles have to be catch mainly at the bottom of the river, pink dolphins spend a lot of time while swimming looking at the bottom of the river for food. Pink dolphins have 25-30 teeth to help them catch their prey. The raise in contaminant levels of mercury have caused and increased number of deaths among pink dolphins, especially near gold mines where mercury is used as part of the gold mining process. Dolphins in human care can live beyond 60 years old in quality care environments. They are also commonly found in the streams and main rivers of the Orinoco river systems; the upper Madeira river in South America and Pearl river of Hong Kong. Calves weigh a little over 1 kg (2.2 lb) when they are born. All dolphins have teeth but they don't chew their food, they just, grab, bite and swallow! The river dolphins are among the most endangered species of all the world’s cetaceans. It is a relatively abundant freshwater cetacean with an estimated population in the tens of thousands. Rough-toothed dolphins live in deep water oceans and eat mostly squid. They also consume shellfish, crabs, crustaceans, and even small turtles. Pink dolphins eat crabs, catfish, small river fish and even small turtles. What Do Amazon River Dolphins Eat? Pink dolphins deliver their babies when the Amazon River is at its high between the months of May and July. Want to Know it? They hunt for food as a collective effort with many pod members using echolocation and cooperation to successfully surround the fish and to be able to dive in for a meal. Some dolphin species have populations that live in fresh water, these include the tucuxi (or sotalia), Irrawaddy dolphin and finless porpoise. Copyright © 2017. It was founded in 1948 and groups 83 states, 108 governmental agencies and more than 10,000 scientists and experts from countries around the world. What do dolphins eat? It has very evident sexual dimorphism, with males measuring and weighing between 16% and 55% more than females, making it unique among cetaceans, … The brain of a pink dolphin is 40% bigger than a human brain. The wildlife in the Amazon region of Ecuador is amazing, but one of the most exciting possibilities of a visit to the Amazon Rainforest is the chance to spot the Amazon Rainforest pink dolphin. These dolphins survive on a diet consisting of small fish, crustaceans, shrimpand crab. Pink dolphins eat crabs, catfish, small river fish and even small turtles. The World Conservation Union, also known as International Union for the conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is an international organization based in Gland, Switzerland, devoted to the conservation of natural resources. Your email address will not be published. Males and Females mate to start a gestation period which is believed to last from nine to twelve months. These friendly and social creatures have been living for centuries in the Amazon and its tributaries, but the accelerated destruction of the Amazon basin have put them in a every time more dangerous situation. The Pink Dolphin eats catfish, small Freshwater Fish, even piranhas, and, crustaceans of all varity. Most species of river dolphins are almost blind, due to navigating muddy waters, but their brains are extremely large and well developed, however pink dolphins are considered to have a relatively good sight. Sometimes a very large shark, such as a great white shark, will kill and eat a dolphin. Basically, pink dolphins eat almost anything small that swims. Among the five species of river dolphins, Amazon pink dolphins are considered the most intelligent of them, with a brain capacity 40% larger than that of humans. Pink dolphins have 25-30 teeth to help them catch their prey. As crabs and turtles usually live at the bottom of the river, pink dolphins spend a lot of time swimming near the bottom of the river on the lookout for food. Pink river dolphins live in the Amazon river. More.. They also eat piranhas and turtles. Catfish are their favorite species of fish to eat. In the Amazon Region…There is a legend about the Boto or Pink Dolphin. According to the legend, the Boto turns from man to dolphin and backwards, changing shape at will. Adult males reach a maximum length and weight of 2.55 metres (8.4 ft) (average 2.32 metres (7.6 ft)) and 185 kilograms (408 lb) (average 154 kilograms (340 lb)), while females reach a length and weight of 2.15 metres (7.1 ft) (mean 2 metres (6.6 ft)) and 150 kilograms (330 lb) (average 100 kilograms (220 lb)). Pink dolphins inhabit the Amazon River, but they can also be found in the Orinoco basins and the upper Madeira River as well. In fact they eat a variety of fishes that can be up of fifty different species but their favorite seems to be the catfish. Fortunately for dolphins, they are at the top of their food chain, and they have very few predators. The water where they live and thrive is poisonous not only for the rare breed but the people who drink and leave near the water are also suffering from the devastating effects of the poisonous pesticide that is killing these dolphins. Something needs to be done to cleanse the river and preserve these river dolphins … This procedure is largely used by their oceanic cousins. Pink dolphins in Colombia. There are five species of dolphins that make their homes in rivers, being the most popular of them the Pink Dolphins also known as Boto, Boutu or Amazon River dolphins as it inhabits the Amazon River. Eating a variety of fish is the main source of food for these dolphins. Amazon pink river dolphins live in freshwater areas including lakes, enormous rivers and small tributaries. They belong taxonomically speaking to different families. As crabs and turtles have to be catch mainly at the bottom of the river, pink dolphins spend a lot of time while swimming looking at the bottom of the river for food. Where do Pink River dolphins live? The Pink river dolphin does not share this hindrance. While they are mostly pink, these dolphins have various colored skins, which can be light gray, pink, or brown. The pink dolphin inhabits the murky waters of the Amazon River and Orinoco River. This post will answer that question and also tell you a few interesting facts about pink dolphins. Like all dolphins, they eat fish and other small aquatic animals. This comes from the similarites between certain body parts of the Boto and humans. The species feeds on a wide range on prey animals during the wet season. 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