The Amazon River Dolphin is the largest river dolphin; it has a very large melon and slender looking beak with bulging cheeks. The flippers are large and they curve to a point with a ragged trailing edge. The body is plump but tapers at the tail. A humped dorsal ridge exists instead of a fin. The body is blue-gray, vivid pink or off-white. Adults can reach up to 2.6 m in length and weigh about 160 kg.
They are usually found in brown, slow-moving waters, they readily leave the main river channels in December - June, the flood season, and enter the flooded grasslands and forests. During the dry season, some individuals can become trapped in stagnant ponds, since fish are also trapped, the dolphins usually survive.
The Amazon River Dolphin feed upon a variety of fish and crabs, mostly bottom dwelling species but also others.
They are not very often seen in groups larger than 2, but they have been seen in groups of up to 15 but this is very rare. They are slow moving and cannot move their heads which is due to an unfused vertebrae in the neck. They have very small eyes but they can see pretty good. Because of their bulging cheeks, they often swim upside down to get the best visability. |
