Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Iniidae
- Genus
- Inia
- Species
- Inia geoffrensis
Habitat
This subspecies inhabits freshwater rivers and tributaries in Bolivia, particularly the Madeira River and its associated waterways. They prefer deep, slow-moving waters with abundant vegetation and sandy bottoms, avoiding fast currents and extremely shallow areas. Geographic range is limited to the Bolivian Amazon basin.
Diet
Bolivian river dolphins primarily eat fish such as catfish and characins, along with crustaceans like shrimp and crabs. They use echolocation to locate prey in murky waters and typically feed during the day, hunting alone or in small groups. Their feeding behavior involves quick dives and surface breaches to catch fast-moving fish.
Behavior
These dolphins are often solitary or form small groups of up to six individuals, showing curiosity towards boats and humans. They are diurnal, active during the day for hunting and socializing, and use echolocation for navigation in turbid rivers. Territorial behavior is minimal, but males may compete for mates during breeding periods, and they exhibit playful surface activities like breaching and tail-slapping.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status for Inia geoffrensis is Vulnerable, with the Bolivian subspecies facing similar threats; population trends are declining due to habitat loss from dam construction, pollution, and bycatch in fishing nets. Major conservation efforts include protected areas and research to monitor populations.