My daughter informed me yesterday that she wanted an Amazon river dolphin for her fourth birthday. As she explained, we could get a calf and keep it in the bath tub until it’s too big, then move it to our apartment’s swimming pool. A real Amazon river dolphin was out of the question for my little one, but her aunt generously adopted her a river dolphin through the WWF. My goal, then, was to educate my child about this fascinating and endangered animal.
Here are some interesting facts for kids about Amazon river dolphins, from the IUCN.
1. The Amazon river dolphin lives in both the Amazon and Orinoco rivers, which are in the rainforests of South America. It also lives in some lakes, streams, and tributaries throughout the region. Unlike the vast majority of dolphin species, which thrive in open ocean, the Amazon river dolphin depends upon fresh, shaded water systems in order to survive.
2. Amazon river dolphins are also called “pink river dolphins” because of their unusual color, which is not seen in any other species. Other names for the species include the boto, bouto, lo lo annaaa, and boto cor-de-rosa.
3. An average Amazon river dolphin is similar in size to a person. Adult female river dolphins are about five and a half feet long– about the height of an average woman. Adult males are seven feet long, which is about a foot and a half bigger. Newborn baby Amazon river dolphins are about the size of a six-month-old baby human.
4. Amazon river dolphins live alone or in very small groups. Most kinds of dolphins live in large family units, or pods. Amazon river dolphins are different– they usually live alone for most of their lives. However, a male and female will live together for a few months or years while raising their babies, or calves.
5. Amazon river dolphins are excellent hunters. They have long noises and very flexible necks, so they can hunt among underwater tree roots, stones, and logs. An Amazon river dolphin eats piranhas and other fish, along with crabs, turtles, catfish, and shrimp.
6. Parts of the Amazon river become shallow during certain times of the year. During these times, fish will move into lakes near the river, and Amazon river dolphins will follow them. If the streams that lead to the lake dry completely, they sometimes end up living in the lakes for months or years until they can return to the river.
7. Many cultures along the Amazon river have legends about Amazon river dolphins. Ancient legends say that they turn into handsome young men who fall in love with human women. They also claim that it is very bad luck to kill a river dolphin or to look it in the eye. These legends may be part of the reason that they have not yet become extinct.
8. No one knows whether or not Amazon river dolphins are endangered. We don’t know how many Amazon river dolphins are left in the world, or how likely they are to become extinct. They may be endangered or their populations may be stable. Most scientists think it is most likely that they are “vulnerable,” meaning they are not in immediate danger but may be soon.
9. Several things may threaten the Amazon river dolphin. Like other dolphins, many Amazon river dolphins are killed accidentally in fishing nets. Some people also kill them because they think the dolphins are eating too much fish from the river. Pollution is also a very serious problem for Amazon river dolphins, who can die of poisoning after eating fish in polluted water.
10. You can help. If you are a child who wants to help Amazon river dolphins survive, there are several things you can do to help. Spread the word about Amazon river dolphins so more people will care. Ask your parents if you can adopt a river dolphin to help these animals in the wild. Good choices can help to make sure that dolphins get to survive, and that we will get to enjoy sharing the Earth with these beautiful animals for many years to come.
