The pink river dolphin can change its colour

Swimming through rivers in parts of South America and Asia is what one might consider an unexpected figure: the dolphin. It joins the ranks of the shark and the sea turtle as some of the oldest creatures on Earth. And while they're most commonly associated with oceans, dolphins—and porpoises—can actually be found in several major rivers on two continents. River dolphins act as indicators of river health in the basins where they live. If the dolphin population in a river is thriving, then the overall state of that fresh water system is also likely flourishing. But if that population is on the decline, then it’s considered a red flag for the ecosystem as a whole. WWF is the only organization working to safeguard all river dolphin species across the world. Under our River Dolphins Initiative, WWF collaborates with governments, communities, and other partners in countries with river dolphin populations to change policies and practices, address direct threats to the species such as bycatch and infrastructure, protect habitats, and bolster scientific research. Here’s a look at river dolphins around the world, the challenges they face, and what WWF is doing to keep them around for the long haul. Also known as the boto or ‘pink river dolphin,’ the Amazon River dolphin swims throughout much of the famed South American river basin and the neighboring Orinoco river basin that stretches through Colombia and Venezuela. The species is characterized by its long snout and pale pink color....

The Amazon river dolphin, also known as the pink river dolphin or boto, lives only in freshwater. It is found throughout much of the Amazon and Orinoco river basins in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela. It is a relatively abundant freshwater cetacean with an estimated population in the tens of thousands. However, it is classified as vulnerable in certain areas due to dams that fragment and threaten certain populations, and from other threats such as contamination of rivers and lakes. The Amazon river dolphin is seen as a competitor for diminished fish stocks and is often killed or injured when people try to chase them away. In the Brazilian and Colombian Amazon, river dolphins are often deliberately killed for use as bait in the “mota” catfish fishery, which gathers fish that demand high prices in the city. Pollution Mercury pollution from small-scale gold mining activities are one of the main threats to the Bolivian river dolphin, a subspecies of the Amazon river dolphin. The mercury reaches dolphins through the food chain. They mainly eat catfish, which are bottom feeders greatly affected by metals like mercury in the water. World Wildlife Fund 1250 24th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20037 • Connect with us • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • YouTube • RSS Feeds World Wildlife Fund Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax ID number 52-1693387) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible...

Are pink river dolphins friendly? Despite having small eyes (Ganges and Indus river dolphins’ eyes even lack a lens), river dolphins navigate muddy waters with ease thanks to exquisite sonar—perhaps the best among all the cetaceans. They are often friendly and curious toward people. Amazon, or pink, river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis). Are river dolphins friendly? Despite having small eyes (Ganges and Indus river dolphins’ eyes even lack a lens), river dolphins navigate muddy waters with ease thanks to exquisite sonar—perhaps the best among all the cetaceans. They are often friendly and curious toward people. … The largest species is the Amazon river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis). Are pink dolphins aggressive? While they are known to be shy creatures, they are fascinatingly drawn to people, playing curiously with local children, and without demonstrating aggressive behavior. They also communicate using high-frequency sonar clicks to build a three-dimensional echogram of their dark riverine world. Does a pink river dolphin have enemies? Because Amazon River dolphins do not have any known natural predators — other than humans — they do not need to live in large protective groups called pods. Pink dolphins hunt alone during the high water season when their prey disperse into the floodplains. Why are pink river dolphins pink? The Amazon pink river dolphin can change its color! … The dolphins are actually born gray and slowly turn pink as they age. Male dolphins are strikingly pinker...

If you’re looking to show the underwater world some more love for Valentine’s Day this year, we invite you to join our global community of They come in many shades of pink (and gray). The Amazon pink river dolphin is obviously famous for its pink color. But, many don’t know that it also comes in a variety of other shades. The dolphins actually start off gray when they are young, and slowly turn pink as they get older. Their final color can be influenced by their behavior, diet, capillary placement, and exposure to sunlight. They can be anywhere from mostly gray with some pink spots, to almost flamingo pink. The best part is, when this species of dolphin gets excited, they can flush bright pink, similar to humans blushing. They have the largest bodies and brains of any freshwater dolphin. Out of the five freshwater species of dolphins, the Amazon pink river dolphin comes out on top. Measuring up to 9 feet (2.7 meters), and weighing up to 400 pounds (181 kilograms) – they are certainly massive. Living up to 30 years, they also have unusually large brains, with roughly 40% more brain capacity than humans. They are more solitary than most other dolphins. The Amazon pink river dolphin is often seen alone or in small groups of 2 – 4 individuals. In some food-rich areas, or at the mouths of Amazonian rivers, they can sometimes be found in larger groups, but it’s less common. Nevertheless, these dolphins are still incredibly curious and outgoing animals. They have even been known ...

Are pink river dolphins friendly? Despite having small eyes (Ganges and Indus river dolphins’ eyes even lack a lens), river dolphins navigate muddy waters with ease thanks to exquisite sonar—perhaps the best among all the cetaceans. They are often friendly and curious toward people. Amazon, or pink, river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis). Are river dolphins friendly? Despite having small eyes (Ganges and Indus river dolphins’ eyes even lack a lens), river dolphins navigate muddy waters with ease thanks to exquisite sonar—perhaps the best among all the cetaceans. They are often friendly and curious toward people. … The largest species is the Amazon river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis). Are pink dolphins aggressive? While they are known to be shy creatures, they are fascinatingly drawn to people, playing curiously with local children, and without demonstrating aggressive behavior. They also communicate using high-frequency sonar clicks to build a three-dimensional echogram of their dark riverine world. Does a pink river dolphin have enemies? Because Amazon River dolphins do not have any known natural predators — other than humans — they do not need to live in large protective groups called pods. Pink dolphins hunt alone during the high water season when their prey disperse into the floodplains. Why are pink river dolphins pink? The Amazon pink river dolphin can change its color! … The dolphins are actually born gray and slowly turn pink as they age. Male dolphins are strikingly pinker...

If you’re looking to show the underwater world some more love for Valentine’s Day this year, we invite you to join our global community of They come in many shades of pink (and gray). The Amazon pink river dolphin is obviously famous for its pink color. But, many don’t know that it also comes in a variety of other shades. The dolphins actually start off gray when they are young, and slowly turn pink as they get older. Their final color can be influenced by their behavior, diet, capillary placement, and exposure to sunlight. They can be anywhere from mostly gray with some pink spots, to almost flamingo pink. The best part is, when this species of dolphin gets excited, they can flush bright pink, similar to humans blushing. They have the largest bodies and brains of any freshwater dolphin. Out of the five freshwater species of dolphins, the Amazon pink river dolphin comes out on top. Measuring up to 9 feet (2.7 meters), and weighing up to 400 pounds (181 kilograms) – they are certainly massive. Living up to 30 years, they also have unusually large brains, with roughly 40% more brain capacity than humans. They are more solitary than most other dolphins. The Amazon pink river dolphin is often seen alone or in small groups of 2 – 4 individuals. In some food-rich areas, or at the mouths of Amazonian rivers, they can sometimes be found in larger groups, but it’s less common. Nevertheless, these dolphins are still incredibly curious and outgoing animals. They have even been known ...

Swimming through rivers in parts of South America and Asia is what one might consider an unexpected figure: the dolphin. It joins the ranks of the shark and the sea turtle as some of the oldest creatures on Earth. And while they're most commonly associated with oceans, dolphins—and porpoises—can actually be found in several major rivers on two continents. River dolphins act as indicators of river health in the basins where they live. If the dolphin population in a river is thriving, then the overall state of that fresh water system is also likely flourishing. But if that population is on the decline, then it’s considered a red flag for the ecosystem as a whole. WWF is the only organization working to safeguard all river dolphin species across the world. Under our River Dolphins Initiative, WWF collaborates with governments, communities, and other partners in countries with river dolphin populations to change policies and practices, address direct threats to the species such as bycatch and infrastructure, protect habitats, and bolster scientific research. Here’s a look at river dolphins around the world, the challenges they face, and what WWF is doing to keep them around for the long haul. Also known as the boto or ‘pink river dolphin,’ the Amazon River dolphin swims throughout much of the famed South American river basin and the neighboring Orinoco river basin that stretches through Colombia and Venezuela. The species is characterized by its long snout and pale pink color....