Boto - Pink River Dolphin

Boto - Pink River Dolphin

Boto is the Brazilian name for the river dolphins that live in the tributaries of the Amazon River. The pink river dolphins are found from Peru to Columbia in South America. Some scientists recognize seven sub species of the Boto.

Identifying pink river dolphins is easy due to their unique shape. Unlike other dolphins, the boto has a long fattish body with paddle shaped fins and a ridge along the back rather than a dorsal fin. They have a melon shaped head, they have small eyes, plump cheeks and a long beak holding up to 170 teeth. Another amazing characteristic is that their coloring ranges anywhere from dull grey to white and even pink; hence the name Pink River Dolphin.

Researchers believe that females reach maturity between six to ten years, unlike males who do not mature until 12 years of age. Some botos has been known to live for thirty years.

Pink river dolphins are found mostly in slow moving river basins and streams, but during flood season they leave the deeper channels and explore the flooded forests. The boto is very graceful and can manage swimming through trees without a problem.

Observation shows that botos are most active in the early morning or late evenings. They prefer to swim in groups of anywhere from two to fifteen dolphins.

Botos are very curious and playful which may explain their slow swimming habits. They want to explore everything they see, from pulling on boat oars to coming near a boat or just playing with dolphins in their group.

Because of their flexible bodies botos can swim in very shallow water and weave in and out of trees during the flood season.

Pink river dolphins are often seen swimming upside down. This is probably due to their plump cheeks making downward vision hard for them to do.

According to some legends botos have the magical power to turn into handsome young men and carry off the young women of the tribes!

In 2002 the pink river dolphin was added to the endangered species list. The hope is that this species can be saved and not face the fate of the Chinese species called Baiji that was declared extinct in 2006.

More in the next edition.