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Subject: The Boto, Amazon River Dolphin or Pink River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) is a freshwater or river dolphin. It is endemic to the Amazon River and Orinoco River systems. The Boto is the largest of the river dolphins. This species is not to be confused with the Tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis), whose range overlaps that of the Boto, but which is not a true river dolphin. (Wikipedia) Although famous for its pink colour, not all botos are pink. Youngsters start life a dark grey, and become lighter with age. Truly pink dolphins are almost always adult males, and we now know that the pinkness is caused by scarring. Many adult males are almost completely covered with scars caused by fighting with other males, so they appear pink. (Projeto Boto)
Amazonas06 - 190 * Lesser Kiskadee.

Amazonas06 - 191 * Large-billed Terns.

Amazonas06 - 192 * Crab holes high on the river bank.

Amazonas06 - 193

Amazonas06 - 194

 
Amazonas06 - 196 * The Boto can vary in colour from a memorable bright pink colour through to a murky brown, grey, blue-grey or creamy white. Adults are typically 2.5 m in length and weigh 150 kg. The flippers are large compared with body size and are curved back. The Boto does not have a dorsal fin, though a bumpy raised ridge on the back shows the evolutionary remnants of one. It has a prominent, long, thin beak with 25-35 pairs of teeth in both the upper and lower jaws. The front teeth are peglike, whereas the rear teeth are flatter with cusps. The two tooth types serve different functions: seizing prey and crushing, respectively. Botos generally feed from the bottom of the river and their preferred diet consists of crabs and small fish. (Wikipedia)

Amazonas06 - 197 * This species is not often seen in groups larger than 2, but in rare circumstances up to 20 may be seen together. Unlike other dolphins, the Boto's cervical (neck) vertebrae are not fused, allowing the head a wide range of movement. Though their eyes are small they can see quite well, except for their bulging cheeks hampering downward view. This, however, is overcome by swimming upside-down. (Wikipedia)

Amazonas06 - 198 * In a traditional Amazon River myth, at night a Boto becomes a handsome young man who seduces girls, impregnates them, then returns to the river in the morning to become a Boto again. This dolphin shapeshifter is called an encantado. It is said that there are hundreds of people today whose birth certificates have the Boto listed as the father. It has been suggested that the myth arose partly because dolphin genitalia bear a resemblance to that of humans. (Wikipedia)

Amazonas06 - 199 * Boto

Amazonas06 - 200 * Boto

Copyright © 2006 Patricia E. Beebe and David R. Beebe (B2 Photo & Video)

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