My daughter informed me yesterday that she wanted to see a dolphin in the Amazon river for her fourth birthday. As he explained, we could take the calf and keep it in the swimming pool until it was too big, then move it to our pool apartment. A real Amazon river dolphin was out of question for my little one, but his aunt generously adopted a river dolphin through the WWF. So my goal was to raise this fascinating and dangerous animal.
Here are some fun 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 rainwaters of South America. It also lives in some lakes, streams, and tributaries throughout the country. Unlike most dolphin species, which thrive in the open ocean, the Amazon river dolphin depends on fresh, shady water systems to survive.
2. Amazon river dolphins are also called “pink river dolphins” because of their unusual color, which is not seen in other species. Other names for the species include boto, bouto, lo lo annaaa, and cor-de-rosa boto.
3. The average Amazon river dolphin is like a human. Adult female river dolphins are about five and a half feet long – about the height of an average female. Adult males are seven feet long, which is about a foot and a half taller. A newborn baby dolphin in the Amazon River is about the size of a six-month-old human baby.
4. Amazon river dolphins live alone or in very small groups. Most species of dolphins live in large family groups, or pods. Amazon river dolphins are different–they tend to live alone most of their lives. Male and female, however, live for a few months or or years while they bring forth their babies or calves. .
5. The Amazon river dolphins are excellent hunters. They have long and flexible necks, so they can hunt among tree roots, stones and logs. The Amazon river dolphin eats piranhas and other fish, crabs, turtles, catfish and shrimp.
6. Parts of the Amazon River become shallow at certain times of the year. At these times, fish in the lake will move near the river, and the dolphins will follow them. If the streams that lead to the lake catch fire, they sometimes end up living in the lakes for months or years until they can return to the river.
7. Many cultures in the Amazon River have stories about the Amazon river dolphins. Ancient legends say that young men who love human women turn into more beautiful women. They also say that it is the worst thing to kill a river dolphin or to look it in the eyes. This story is part of the reason that they are not yet extinct.
8. No one knows whether the Amazon river dolphins are endangered or not. We don’t know how many dolphins are left in the Amazon River, or how extinct they are. Their populations may be endangered or stable. Most scientists think that “vulnerable” is most likely to mean that they are not in imminent danger but that they are soon.
9. The dolphins of the Amazon River are threatened by many things. Like other dolphins, many Amazon river dolphins are accidentally killed in nets. Some even kill them because the dolphins eat too many fish from the river. Pollution is also a serious problem for Amazon river dolphins, which can die of poisoning after eating fish in polluted water.
10. You can help. If you are a child who wants to help the Amazon River dolphins, there are several things you can do to help. Spread the word about the Amazon river dolphins, and more people will care. Ask your parents if you can adopt a river dolphin to help these wild animals. Good choices can help ensure that dolphins survive, and that we will enjoy interacting with these beautiful animals for many years to come.
