Pink Dolphins near Extinction
Pink dolphins — Inia Geoffrensis, or more commonly known as ‘Botos’ in Brazil — are found in streams and main rivers of the Orinoco River systems of South America, and tend to gather at convergences of rivers. Photo Enzym
Formerly living in harmony with the people of the Amazon for centuries, Botos now face extinction in some tributaries. What had been considered one of the least threatened species of dolphins has now become one of the most endangered due to the accelerated and commercialized pillage of the Amazon and the destruction of the South American tropical rainforest.
The Boto can vary in color from bright pink through to a murky brown, grey, blue-grey or creamy white. When young, the dolphins are a light grey and develop in color later on. When they are excited or surprised, they become pinker — almost as if they’re blushing. The cause for the unique coloration isn’t clearly understood, but the presence of capillaries near the surface of the skin likely accounts for its characteristic pink flush. Other factors may include age, chemical composition of the water — especially iron content — the temperature of the water, and the kind of food it eats.
Adults are typically 8 feet (2.5 meters) in length, weighing in at 330 pounds (150 kilos). The tail is large compared with its body size, with 2 wavy-like flippers. The Boto doesn’t have a dorsal fin, but a bumpy raised ridge on the back. They possess long, thin beaks — often lined with tiny hairs — with 25 – 35 pairs of teeth in both the upper and lower jaws. Though their eyes are small they can see quite well, except for their bulging cheeks 
hindering their downward view. This is conquered by swimming upside-down.
These sensitive mammals have a brain capacity 40% larger than that of humans. Photos Scribb
Calves are typically born between July and September, approximately 30 inches (75 cm) long, weighing just over 2 pounds (1 kilo). Their gestation period is believed to be 9 to 12 months. Sexual maturity in males is reached when they are about 7 feet (2 meters), and females at 5.5 feet (1.7 meters) at an unknown age.
The mating season of the Pink Dolphins varies, but generally towards the end of summer. Courtship rituals include a lot of surfacing, breaching, flipper contact, and vocalizations. When they mate, they’ll hold onto each other with their flippers, and fertilization takes place.
Pink dolphins can reproduce by parthenogenesis — the Greek word for “virgin birthâ€?. The calf’s lactation period lasts 18 – 20 months. Usually the Pink Dolphin that gives birth to the calf will care for it with help from other dolphins of its pod. The mother raises and protects the calf for 1 – 3 years, often hiding the calves at their side to protect them. As the calf matures, it leaves its mother, and finds a pod or group of about the same age to protect it from its enemies.
Botos feed from the bottom of the river on crustaceans, catfish, small fish, and occasionally small turtles. A unique characteristic of Inia Geoffrensis is the unfused vertebrae in its neck, which allows for the 180-degree head turn, giving them greater flexibility in floodplain forests, grassland, tributaries and shallow waters. Photo Prestongrant
They can consume a large quantity of food per day. Pink dolphins don’t like to dine alone. When they find a school of fish, they’ll squeal to call their pod. The pods or groups may dive below a school of fish and bring them to the surface. During the night they hunt zooplankton.
Their flexible bodies enable them to swim rapidly at a speed of up to 20 miles per hour. Botos can remain submerged for up to 15 minutes. Males often sleep just below the surface and come up to breathe as reflex.
Pink Dolphins don’t have many enemies, with few ways to protect themselves in the event of danger; therefore they may stick close to their pod or group. When in harm’s way, they’ll squeal to call their pod. If alone they’ll use their flippers and long beaks to protect themselves.
Incidental death due to fishing nets is very common throughout the Amazon Basin. Gill nets used by commercial fisherman are regarded as the most dangerous to the dolphins.
Contrary to popular opinion, dolphins are capable of reacting aggressively towards humans under certain terms and conditions. There are a number of reports of pink dolphins pushing people to the shore after their canoes have capsized.
Dolphins figure prominently in local mythology and their reputation varies from one tributary to another. In some locations, the pink dolphins are considered as unpredictable wizards, in others they are benign and helpful semi-divine beings. Grey dolphins are usually regarded as sacred animals, particularly by various Indian tribes.
Up until recent times, dolphins and people along the Amazon River coexisted in harmony. Only within the past three decades has the relationship between man and dolphin been ruptured as a result of deforestation and habitat degradation.
Amazon River Dolphins at Duisburg Zoo
Two male Amazon River Dolphins (or Boto) at Duisburg Zoo, Germany, in August, 2006.
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Thanks for the great info. I never even knew that there were pink dolphins.
I’m glad it was of interest to you Andy
How sad! I didn’t know there were pink dolphins either.
Steve, it is very sad, for such an adorable, friendly and intelligent creature.
Wow, I never knew pink dolphins existed. That is so awesome! I hope they don’t die out.
I certainly hope not Linda. It helps to identify the near extinction to begin with to take action for prevention.
Dolphins are one of the most adorable creatures!
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hia who eva u r i just came on this webby 4 picz a dolphins but ended up havin a cwic look at thspage n went down t botttom n write summet so i ant really looked at the site but i lurv the pics n imformation i hav read so for bout the pink dophins!!!!
who wud hav fort that dolphinz wud b pink !!!!!
LOL
Glad you enjoyed the post Miss CLH. Do come back to visit, I often write about animal oddities
Great story!
And it really is sad that these, and so many other animals are nearing extinction because of deforestation and habitat degradation caused by humans.
By the way, I love the pictures and video. I was confused about the fourth picture down, at first. It took me a minute or two to realize that it had it’s mouth open! But it’s adorable!
Glad you enjoyed the post Caitlin
Yes, unfortunately pink dolphins aren’t the only ones being affected by deforestation.
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I love dalphins
We need global laws to protect the rare pink dolphin from capture and display. Norway plans to put pink dolphins in an aquarium. Many Boto will die for nothing in captivity!!!!!!!. They are extinct in the Yangtse river. Please Europe, leave the Boto in the Amazon!
OMG! I had no clue that there was such thing as a pink dolphin! They R sooooo cute! I hope they get off the extintion list! poor, poor things!
I love them so much!
Mann i didnt know there was such thing as a pink dolphin Weird, they sound cool though
They sounds intresting too
It is so sad that we are destroying our own habitat – the planet.
the yangtze river dolphin is or near extinct , the other 3 river dolphin species in asia : irrawady , ganges & indus are endangered ! there are actually 2 kinds of river dolphins in the amazon & orinoco : boto (pink) & amazon bottlenose (smaller than the ones in saltwater) . there are also about 400 shortbeak porpoises left in the yangtze . the new species : snub fin is similar to river kinds , but lives near shore from west to northeast australia & new guinea .
the la plata dolphin lives near shore in the atlantic off south america . people need to read about , google , etc. cetaceans (whales , dolphins & porpoises ) . learn about them , visit them & protect them . they are intelligent beings on our own planet , with large brains like elephants & primates .
I’m pleasantly surprised to see someone showcasing the pink dolphin. If any of your guests would like to see a few more, my friend sent me this website [for obvious reasons...
] http://calcasieucharters.com – the menu on the left, the link at the bottom **PINK DOLPHIN**
I can’t believe this is happening… do you know how many are left? why aren’t people making more of an effort to have this publicized
I’m really not certain as to how many are left, Dolphinlover, but it’s certainly a grave issue.
this is great!!!!!
Hmm.. pink dolphins? Interesting into about them in this article. Coolest thing about dolphins is they can sleep half their brain at a time!
its cool how pink dolphins can sleep half part with there brain
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Pink dolpins arer cool. i cant belive how people will do theses kkkind of things to animals.I certainly will make an effort to keep them from being extinct.I write for my school newspaper as a “Amature Colonist”.I will definently put an artical about this Because I stress the importance of animal’s saftey.
THX, for showing me
Thx for the info on the pink dolphins, i didn’t kno they existed! They r amazing creatures!! I am doing a 6th grade report on them not fun but i love these dolphins now!!
THIS is so sad i wish i could help
I want somebody to try and breed them.
Like cloning maybe?
But it’s so sad that there almost all gone.
so sad tht pink dolphin are almost extinct.i wish tht i could help them.
How long have they been endangered?
How long have the pink dolphins been endangered?
thanks for this information it really helps me with my project