Hobbies And Interests
Size and Anatomy
Pink river dolphins are between 6 to 10 feet in length and can weigh up to 200 pounds. Unlike sea dolphins, pink river dolphins have the ability to turn their necks from side to side. They can paddle forward with one flipper and paddle backward with the other. This movement allows them to maneuver in the river, especially during flood season. Pink river dolphins have molarlike teeth with which to chew prey. The hairs on the end of their snouts help them find food on muddy river bottoms. In place of a dorsal fin, pink river dolphins have a distinctive hump.
Color
As their name suggests, pink river dolphins are pink. The shades range from bright flamingo pink to a mottled grayish pink, depending on the individual dolphin. When excited, most pink river dolphins flush a bright pink. The reason for their pink skin is that their blood vessels are very close to the surface of their skin. Some of the pink coloring also comes from carotenoids or pigments in their diet.
Reproduction
The gestation period for pink river dolphins is between nine and 12 months. Males and females copulate belly to belly. Females give birth to their young between July and September, which corresponds with flood season in the Amazon. When born, baby pink river dolphins are only about 30 inches long and weigh just over 2 pounds. Young dolphins remain with their mothers for an indeterminate length of time.
Endangered Status
Pink river dolphins are classified as endangered. Threats to the pink river dolphins include death and habitat destruction. Increased human populations along the rivers that pink river dolphins call home has led to increased river pollution and damming, which is destroying their habitat. Accidental deaths caused by boats and fishing nets are further reducing their numbers. Another practice that is causing the pink river dolphins' numbers to dwindle is the illegal use of dolphin meat for fish bait.