Boto, the pink dolphin of the Amazon waters, is a rare and beautiful creature. But in South American culture, many still revile the boto as a mythical animal. There are a number of interesting facts about boto.
In fact, the pink dolphin is one of two endangered freshwater dolphin species found in similar locations throughout the Amazon and Orinoco river basins.
The creature with the scientific name Inia geffrensis is different from the gray river dolphin or tuxuci (Sotalia fluviatilis), which is more like a marine dolphin with a bottlenose and a habit of jumping out of water.
As the name suggests, the pink dolphin is most recognizable by its unique coloration which makes it a big draw for explorers of the Peruvian Amazon. Here are 5 boto facts, summarized from Aqua Expedition.
Can change color
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Although famous for its pink body color, this dolphin is born with a gray color. As they age, they turn pink. Male dolphins look pinker than female dolphins.
The final color obtained is influenced by behavior, capillary placement, diet, and exposure to sunlight. Boto's color transformation starts from mostly gray with a few pink spots, to flamingo pink.
The body and brain are the largest among freshwater dolphins
The Amazonian pink dolphin is the largest and smartest of the five freshwater species. Adult dolphins can grow to 2.7 meters, weigh up to 181 kilograms, and live up to 30 years of age. Their diet is the most diverse, especially during the rainy season, consisting of more than 53 species, including piranhas.
They also have extraordinarily large brains, with 40% more brain capacity than humans. Although known to be shy creatures, they are very interested in people, playing with children, without displaying aggressive behavior. They also communicate using high-frequency sonar to construct three-dimensional echograms of their dark river world.
Like to be alone
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has labeled the animal "data deficient". Part of this status is because most dolphins have a reputation for enjoying gathering in groups, but pink dolphins are often seen alone or in small groups of 2-4 individuals, usually mother and child.
One of the challenges in calculating the number is that the river water is often cloudy with mud. In addition, pink dolphins also rarely appear. Often they just pop the tip of their head out of the water.
Pink dolphins spend a lot of time underwater, and their shy and elusive behavior reinforces the notion that these creatures are mythical.
But interestingly, despite being shy and living in small groups, pink dolphins are very curious and friendly animals to humans. When they are ready to come out of hiding, pink dolphins are often seen playing with humans and following the way of the boat.
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Agile and athletic
Pink dolphins are very agile and agile, because the vertebrae in their neck are not fused, unlike other dolphins. The ability to turn their head to a 90-degree angle allows them to maneuver around tree trunks, rocks, and other obstacles.
They can also swim forward with one flipper while pedaling backwards with the other, allowing it to rotate with greater precision. They are often seen swimming upside down, perhaps to help them see the riverbed better.
Despite their small eyes, pink dolphins have good eyesight above and below water, and have no trouble navigating the muddy waters of the Amazon to catch their prey thanks to their excellent sense of echolocation.
The myth of the pink dolphin
This dolphin is associated with legend in South America. One story claims that dolphins turn into handsome men to seduce village women at night.
Another story says that if a person swims alone, pink dolphins can take him to a magical underwater city. There are also those who say that meeting pink dolphins is a sign of bad luck, especially if you eat the flesh.
On the other hand, these mythical assumptions may actually help humans to treat the pink dolphin population well and preserve it.