Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Iniidae
- Genus
- Inia
Habitat
These dolphins inhabit the Amazon and Orinoco river basins in South America, favoring large, slow-moving rivers, floodplains, and lakes with murky water. They are adapted to freshwater environments and avoid fast-flowing or clear streams. In the field, you're most likely to spot them in deeper sections of rivers where they can navigate easily.
Diet
Amazon river dolphins primarily eat fish such as catfish and characins, along with crustaceans like shrimp and crabs. They use echolocation to hunt in low-visibility waters, often foraging alone or in small groups during the day. Feeding typically occurs in the morning and late afternoon when fish are more active.
Behavior
They are generally solitary or form small groups of up to six individuals, showing curiosity towards boats and humans. Amazon river dolphins are diurnal, spending much of their time swimming slowly or resting near the surface, and they exhibit playful behaviors like breaching or manipulating objects. They are territorial in feeding areas but not aggressively so.
Conservation Status
The IUCN lists the Amazon river dolphin as Endangered, with populations declining due to habitat degradation and bycatch in fishing gear. Major threats include pollution from mercury and dam construction that alters river flows.